Sally Ride

Sally Ride Sally Ride

SALLY

RIDE ASTRONAUT

HER

Her Story

Dr. Sally Kristen Ride made her way into history on June 18th, 1983. On this day, she became the first American woman in space, the youngest American in space, and first acknowledged gay astronaut in space. She has been granted many awards for her research and she is a best selling author. Dr. Ride has a passion for teaching and has created programs for children to learn about space.

Born on May 26, 1951 in Encino, California, she was always taught to go for dreams. Dr. Ride pursued a Bachelor of Science in Physics and a Bachelor of Arts in English at Stanford University in 1973. After, she continued her education and got a Master of Science and a Doctorate degree in Physics in 1975 in 1978.

In 1977, NASA began looking for women astronauts. As Dr. Ride was a student at the time, she decided to apply. She was one of six women picked! On June 18th, 1983, Dr. Ride because the first American woman to fly in space. She was one of my crew members aboard the shuttle ChallengerSTS-7 and was the youngest astronaut America had ever had (32 years old). There are many interviews before her launch: some people asked if it was going to affect her ability to reproduce or what kind of makeup was going to be taken on the mission. She answered, “it’s too bad this thing such a big deal. It’s too bad our society isn’t further along.“

On July 23rd, 2012 come after 17th month battle with pancreatic cancer, she passed away at the age of 61. During her life, she married a fellow astronaut Steve Hawley in 1982 and got divorced in 1987. After she passed away, Tam O’Shaughnessy opened about their 27-year relationship. So not only is Dr. Ride the youngest American space, the first American woman in space, but also the first acknowledged gay astronaut. In 2013, President Obama honored Dr. Ride with a president Medal of Freedom and O’Shaughnessy accepted the award.

Her Monument

2 c m

E=

a

m

F=

Fg = Gm1m2 r2

Location 1

Location 2