Sally broke ground in 1983 when she blasted off into outer space on space shuttle Challenger. She returned to space a year later for a second mission.
Sally grew up in Los Angeles where she earned degrees in physics and English. She joined the NASA astronaut corps in 1978. The requirements for that job were extremely demanding and it says a lot that she got in.
After her space exploits, Sally returned to Stanford University where she became a professor. She also wrote five science books for children.
Have you heard of Sally?
Whoa! I didn't realize she had died. I work at a magnet middle school, and aerospace is one of our focuses. I try to make sure I get a lot of books on female astronauts so that the girls at my school realize that it isn't out of reach for them. She will be missed.
ReplyDeleteI did know a little about her. I hadn't heard that she died though. I'm very sorry to hear it. I hope her story gets told and there are many more astronauts that follow her ambition. Space is scary, and it takes a very brave person to take on all the forces of heaven and earth to reach it.
ReplyDeleteI remember when she made the news way back when. I was sorry to hear of her death. Pancreatic cancer is so scary.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do remember her. I saw that she passed away on the NPR web site and hadn't really thought about her much since she first took that memorable flight way back when. She was a great inspiration for girls. Sorry to see anyone go at a young age. 61 is just too young.
ReplyDeleteThere's an excellent article about here on Mental Floss right now: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/87646
ReplyDeleteVery sad - such a great influence.
Sally Ride was amazing. RIP.
ReplyDeleteI heard this earlier tonight and it made me sad. As a child of the 80's I remember Sally Ride and I definitely looked up to her - she was a great example of someone showing young girls that women could do anything. I hope she has landed among the stars she loved so much.
ReplyDeleteSo sad. She was an amazing person. Very sorry to hear that.
ReplyDeletesally ride was my hero when i was a kid!
ReplyDeletei had no idea she passed, sad.
ReplyDeleteXo Megan
I think I heard about her a while back - she was really young, it's a true loss.
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