US’ first female astronaut dies
25 July 2012 2:02 AM GMT
Sally Ride, the first US woman to go into space, has died after a 17-month battle against cancer. She was 61.
Ride joined NASA in 1978 and in 1983 she became the first American woman in space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Challenger for STS-7. At 32 years old, she was also the youngest American space traveler at the time.
US President Barack Obama expressed sadness over her demise and called her a ‘national hero and a powerful role model.’
‘She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools,’ Obama said in a statement.
‘Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come,’ the US President said, after the death announcement from Sally Ride Science, the San Diego company she developed to provide classroom materials, programmes and professional help for K-12 teachers.
Ride was suffering from pancreatic cancer and died on Monday, after battling for 17 months, the company said.
‘Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless,’ it said. NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden said: ‘Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism, and literally the face of America’s space programme.’ ‘The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally’’s family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly,’ he said.
The soft-spoken California physicist broke the gender barrier 29 years ago when she rode to orbit aboard space shuttle Challenger to become America’s first woman in space, NASA said. Ride’s place in history was assured on 18 June 1983 when she rocketed into space on Challenger’s STS-7 mission with four male crewmates.
She holds the distinction of being the only person to serve as a member of both investigation boards following NASA’s two space shuttle accidents.
Ride joined NASA in 1978 and in 1983 she became the first American woman in space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Challenger for STS-7. At 32 years old, she was also the youngest American space traveler at the time.
US President Barack Obama expressed sadness over her demise and called her a ‘national hero and a powerful role model.’
‘She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools,’ Obama said in a statement.
‘Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come,’ the US President said, after the death announcement from Sally Ride Science, the San Diego company she developed to provide classroom materials, programmes and professional help for K-12 teachers.
Ride was suffering from pancreatic cancer and died on Monday, after battling for 17 months, the company said.
‘Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless,’ it said. NASA Administrator, Charles Bolden said: ‘Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism, and literally the face of America’s space programme.’ ‘The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally’’s family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly,’ he said.
The soft-spoken California physicist broke the gender barrier 29 years ago when she rode to orbit aboard space shuttle Challenger to become America’s first woman in space, NASA said. Ride’s place in history was assured on 18 June 1983 when she rocketed into space on Challenger’s STS-7 mission with four male crewmates.
She holds the distinction of being the only person to serve as a member of both investigation boards following NASA’s two space shuttle accidents.
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