Napa Valley Woman Aims to Fly into Space

A woman from Napa Valley, who has a terminal diagnosis, is setting her sights on a remarkable journey to space.

At 69 years old, Pam Harter, battling a severe and incurable genetic illness, aims to be the first hospice patient to embark on a spaceflight, thanks to a connection with the billionaire-backed rocket company Blue Origin.

Harter is living with pseudoxanthoma elasticum, a rare disease that makes arteries harden and extremely fragile. Unfortunately, there’s no cure, and her vascular health is gradually deteriorating.

About two years ago, doctors inserted stents in her stomach and major arteries to aid blood flow. By last spring, one of those stents had completely blocked, and another was only partially open. A surgeon proposed another risky operation, but it would, in all likelihood, keep her dependent on medical devices for her remaining time.

Harter declined the operation. Instead, she and her husband decided to make memories, traveling to Italy for a month, visiting Croatia, and seeking to live fully in the time they had left.

Thanks to a friend’s invitation, they managed to join an exclusive trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos, which is quite pricey at $42,500 per person with only 50 spots available.

During the trip, Harter shared her ambitious dream, stating, “Wouldn’t it be great to be the first hospice patient in space?” She recalled this moment, feeling excited yet thoughtful.

Interestingly, a woman seated next to her turned out to work for Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company founded by Jeff Bezos, which takes civilians more than 92 miles into the atmosphere.

Within a day, Harter found herself with an application and a non-disclosure agreement from Blue Origin, which she promptly signed.

“Hospice has given me the peace of mind to live fully,” Harter told the Napa Valley Register. “I’ve visited Italy, Croatia, Ecuador, the Galapagos—and now I’m going to space. I wouldn’t have experienced any of this without hospice.”

Reportedly, at least one paying customer has postponed their seat to make way for her mission.

However, this journey hasn’t been all smooth sailing; Blue Origin announced in January that it would pause launches for at least two years to focus on a NASA contract. Still, company officials encouraged Harter to continue moving forward.

While she prepares and trains for the eventual trip, she is also working discreetly to secure sponsorship funds to help cover the substantial costs of the expedition, the specifics of which remain undisclosed.

Ultimately, for Harter, this endeavor isn’t about the thrill of space but rather breaking stereotypes. She wants to illustrate that hospice can signify the beginning of new adventures rather than the end of them.