July 23, 2012
Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, passed away at the age of 61. Ride made history in 1983 when she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. She was a physicist and a strong advocate for science education.
La Jolla, United States | NASA
Sally Kristen Ride was born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. She demonstrated an early aptitude for science and athletics, excelling in both fields. Ride attended Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1973. She continued her education at Stanford, obtaining a Master of Science in 1975 and a Ph.D. in Physics in 1978.
In 1978, Sally Ride was selected as part of NASA’s astronaut program, one of the first six women to be chosen. On June 18, 1983, she made history as the first American woman to fly in space, serving as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Challenger for mission STS-7. During the mission, Ride operated the shuttle’s robotic arm, deploying and retrieving satellites, and conducting experiments.
Ride flew on a second shuttle mission, STS-41-G, in 1984, further cementing her legacy as a pioneering astronaut. Her contributions to NASA and space exploration were significant, as she broke barriers and inspired future generations of women in STEM fields.
After retiring from NASA in 1987, Ride dedicated herself to education and public service. She became a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego, and served as the director of the California Space Institute. In 2001, she founded Sally Ride Science, an organization aimed at promoting science education and encouraging young girls to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Ride was also involved in several investigations into space shuttle disasters, serving on the Rogers Commission after the Challenger disaster in 1986 and the Columbia Accident Investigation Board in 2003.
Sally Ride passed away on July 23, 2012, at the age of 61, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Her death marked the loss of a pioneering figure in space exploration and a passionate advocate for science education. Ride’s legacy continues to inspire countless individuals, particularly women and girls, to pursue careers in STEM fields.
Her contributions to space exploration and education have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Astronaut Hall of Fame and posthumous recognition with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013.
Sally Ride’s life and career remain a testament to the power of breaking barriers and the importance of fostering curiosity and education in the sciences.
Source: en.wikipedia.org