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LEGENDIn MemoriamNASA
LEGENDIn MemoriamNASANASA·🇺🇸 United States·Born 1951
Sally Ride
First American woman in space (1983)
343h
Hours in Space
2
Missions
0
EVAs
—
EVA Time
The thing that I'll remember most about the flight is that it was fun. In fact, I'm sure it was the most fun I'll ever have in my life.
All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.
Studying whether there's life on Mars or studying how the universe began, there's something magical about pushing back the frontiers of knowledge.
Young girls need to see role models in whatever careers they may choose, just so they can picture themselves doing those jobs someday.
Inspirations
Billie Jean King
What they aspire to
She hoped to inspire young girls — especially in middle school — to pursue science, technology, engineering, and math.
Biography
First American woman in space. Flew on Challenger twice and later became a champion for science education.
Before NASAStanford physics Ph.D. researching astrophysics and free-electron lasers; she was a nationally ranked junior tennis player before pursuing science full time.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Sally Ride
- First American woman in space (1983)
- Youngest American astronaut to fly in space at the time (age 32)
- First known LGBTQ+ astronaut
Mission Timeline
- Mission Specialist
Space Shuttle Challenger
STS-7
Launch: Jun 18, 1983Landing: Jun 24, 1983Duration: 6 days- First American woman in space
- Mission Specialist
Space Shuttle Challenger
STS-41-G
Launch: Oct 5, 1984Landing: Oct 13, 1984Duration: 8 days
Beyond the Mission
Hobbies & Interests
tennisrunningstamp collecting
Causes They Champion
Girls in STEM (Sally Ride Science)Science literacyK–12 science education
Languages
English
Awards & Honors
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (posthumous, 2013)
- NASA Space Flight Medal (twice)
- National Women's Hall of Fame
- Astronaut Hall of Fame
Authored
- To Space and Back(1986)
- Voyager: An Adventure to the Edge of the Solar System(1992)
- The Third Planet: Exploring the Earth from Space(1994)
- The Mystery of Mars(1999)
- Exploring Our Solar System(2003)
Fun fact
She answered a newspaper ad NASA placed seeking astronaut applicants while she was a Stanford grad student — and was one of the first six women selected.
Learn More
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