Trailblazer Sally Ride

Sally Ride was the first American women and youngest at the time at 32 in space. Her historic flight into space captured a country's imagination and made her a household name. She broke the glass ceiling for many women so they can thrive and continue to break barriers, becoming an inspiration and hero for countless adventurous young girls.

Sally Ride passed away yesterday, July 23, 2012,  after a courageous 17 month battle with pancreatic cancer. Those who knew her say she lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, joy and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless.

Sally Ride was born on May 26, 1951, in Encino, California. Even as a young girl science fascinated her. She grew up playing with chemistry sets and a telescope. She also enjoyed sports. She competed in national junior tennis tournaments and won a tennis scholarship to Westlake School for girls in Los Angles. Her parents supportive every endeavor. She then attended Swarthmore College for 3 semesters, took physics course at UCLA, an then transferred to Stanford University as a junior, graduating with a BA in English & Physics. At Stanford she earned a master's degree and Ph.D. in physics, while doing research in astrophysics and free electron laser physics.

In 1977 while Sally finished her Ph.D. in physics she saw an ad in the Stanford newspaper saying that NASA was looking for astronauts. At the time astronauts had been military test pilots, all men. NASA was looking for scientist and engineers, and was allowing women to apply. She immediately sent in her application along with 8,000 other people. Thirty-five where chosen, including 6 women, to join the astronaut crops. NASA selected Sally as an astronaut candidate in January 1978.

Sally’s astronaut training included parachute jumping, water survival, weightlessness, radio communications, and navigation. She enjoyed flight training so much that flying became one of her hobbies. During the second and third flights of the space shuttle Columbia, she worked on the ground as a communications officer, relaying messages from mission control to the shuttle crews. She was part of the team that developed the robot arm used by shuttle crews to deploy and retrieve satellites. 

 In August 1979, after a yearlong training and evaluation period, Sally became eligible for assignment as an astronaut on a space shuttle flight crew. She was selected as a mission specialist for mission STS-7 aboard the shuttle Challenger. When Challenger  blasted off from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on June 18, 1983, Sally soared into history as the first American woman in space.


"The thing that I'll remember most about the flight is that it was fun. In fact, I'm sure it was the most fun I'll ever have in my life." - Sally Ride


In June 1985, Sally was assigned to the crew STS 61-M, but mission was halted in January 1986 after the Challenger exploded shortly after takeoff, killing all 7 crew members. Sally served on the Presidential Commission investigating the tragedy. After the investigation was completed, she was assigned to NASA headquarters as special assistant to the administrator for long-range and strategic planning. There she wrote an influential report entitled “Leadership and America’s Future in Space,” and became the first director of NASA’s Office of Exploration.

Sally retired from NASA in 1987. She became a science fellow at the Center for International Security and Arms Control at Stanford University. In 1989, Sally joined the faculty at the University of San Diego as a professor of physics and director of the California Space Institute. 

In 2001 she founded her own company, Sally Ride Science, to pursue her long-time passion for motivating young girls and boys to stick with their interests in science and to consider pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. The company creates innovative classroom materials, classroom programs, and professional development training for teachers.

Sally Ride was a member of the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science and Technology and the National Research Council’s Space Studies Board. She also served on the boards of the Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, the Carnegie Institution of Washington, NCAA Foundation, Aerospace Corporation and the California Institute of Technology.  Sally was a fellow of the American Physical Society and a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. She was the only person to serve on the commissions investigating both the Challenger and Columbia space shuttle disasters.

Sally received numerous honors and awards. She was inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame, the California Hall of Fame, the Aviation Hall of Fame, and the Astronaut Hall of Fame, and she received the Jefferson Award for Public Service, the von Braun Award, the Lindbergh Eagle, and the NCAA’s Theodore Roosevelt Award. She was twice awarded the NASA Space Flight Medal. In 2012 Sally was honored with the National Space Grant Distinguished Service Award.

Sally Ride is a true American Dream. She found her passion, worked hard to reach her goal and inspired those around her to do the same. She is remembered with love, honor and with the greatest gratitude.

"The stars don't look bigger, but they do look brighter." - Sally Ride