American physicist and astronaut who broke barriers as the first woman in space, inspiring generations of women in STEM fields. Founded a company to promote science education and literacy.
Sally Ride is iconic for being the first American woman to venture into space, and the third woman globally to achieve this remarkable feat, following in the footsteps of Soviet cosmonauts Valentina Tereshkova and Svetlana Savitskaya. This remarkable physicist and astronaut shattered glass ceilings, leaving an indelible mark on the space exploration landscape.
Sally Kristen Ride was born on May 26, 1951, in Los Angeles, California. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature from Stanford University in 1973. Ride continued to excel, earning her Master of Science degree in 1975 and Doctor of Philosophy in 1978, both in physics, for her research on the interaction of X-rays with the interstellar medium.
In 1978, Ride joined NASA as part of the Astronaut Group 8, the first class to include women. After completing her training in 1979, she served as the ground-based capsule communicator (CapCom) for the second and third Space Shuttle flights. Ride played a crucial role in developing the Space Shuttle's robotic arm, which she later operated during her maiden spaceflight.
Ride's first spaceflight was on June 18, 1983, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission. During this mission, she deployed two communications satellites and the first Shuttle pallet satellite, SPAS-1, using the robotic arm. Her second spaceflight was on October 5, 1984, again on board Challenger, as part of the STS-41G mission. Ride spent a total of more than 343 hours in space.
After leaving NASA in 1987, Ride worked for two years at Stanford University's Center for International Security and Arms Control. She later joined the University of California, San Diego, where she primarily researched nonlinear optics and Thomson scattering. Ride was a member of the committees that investigated the losses of Challenger and Columbia, the only person to participate in both.
Ride was married to astronaut Steven Hawley during her spaceflight years. She was also in a private, long-term relationship with former Women's Tennis Association player Tam O'Shaughnessy. Ride's remarkable achievements have inspired generations of women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her legacy continues to soar, as a testament to determination, hard work, and the boundless possibilities of human exploration.
88 Years Old
First woman in space, completing 48 orbits of the Earth in 1963, paving the way for future female astronauts.
95 Years Old
First person to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, marking a historic milestone in space exploration.
95 Years Old
Second man to walk on the Moon during the Apollo 11 mission, a pioneering astronaut and advocate for space exploration.
97 Years Old
American baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1965 to 1975, known for being a four-time All-Star and winning the American League ERA title in 1968.
66 Years Old
A highly decorated military pilot and astronaut who commanded the International Space Station, known for his incredible spacewalks and making space exploration accessible through social media.
65 Years Old
American biochemist and astronaut who holds the record for the most time spent in space by an American, with a total of 289 days, 5 hours, and 1 minute. She is also known for her three long-duration stays on the International Space Station.
61 Years Old
Spent a year in space, setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by an American, and providing valuable insights into the effects of long-term space travel on the human body.
68 Years Old
First African American woman in space, trailblazing physician and educator who inspired generations of women and minorities in STEM fields.
