America's First Woman in Space
When Sally Ride launched aboard Challenger in 1983, she became the first American woman in space—but she was also a physicist trained to operate complex spacecraft systems.
Lived
1951–2012
Known for
First American woman in space
Field
Human spaceflight and physics
TransitSatellite connection
Space Shuttle and STEM education
Each level uses the same core historical facts with a different depth of explanation.
Chapter 1
Ride was a talented student and competitive tennis player who developed a strong interest in physics and science.
Chapter 2
Break through a previously male-only astronaut corps while performing the same demanding technical work expected of every crew member.
Chapter 3
Ride flew on two Space Shuttle missions and later served on major accident-investigation panels.
Chapter 4
She expanded who could participate in U.S. human spaceflight and later became a major advocate for STEM education.
Chapter 5
Her story connects the Space Shuttle, Earth orbit, mission operations, and education.
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Lynn Sherr
A biography of Ride that follows her astronaut career, shuttle flights, work on accident investigations and efforts to broaden science education. Sherr also draws on family accounts and personal records to describe the person behind the public role.
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