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In Memoriam

Sally Ride, First Female Astronaut in Space, Dead at 61

July 23, 2012 05:35PM
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Sally Ride in Space Photo

Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut in space, died Monday in La Jolla, Calif., after a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, reports NPR.org. She was 61.

 

The Standford University-educated physicist launched into space aboard the Challenger in 1983 after applying to an ad, which sought applicable candidates for NASA missions.

 

In 1987 Ride left NASA and returned to Standford, where she inspired young women to study science and engineering.

 

According to the Chicago Sun Times, Ride was also a science book author for children.

 

She is survived by her mother, sister, and longtime partner, Tam O’Shaughnessy.

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Sally Ride

Educator, Astronaut, Physicist / 1951 - 2012

In 1983, astronaut and astrophysicist Sally Ride became the first American woman in space aboard the space shuttle Challenger. Ride died on July 23, 2012 at the age of 61, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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