Source: Brochure, Johnson Space Center
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Sally Ride was born on May 26,1951. After deciding to follow her passion for science she attended Stanford University. This was where she saw a NASA recruitment advertisement for the 1978 astronaut class. This class would also be accepting women. Sally Ride applied and after completing multiple tests became one of six women accepted. Ride was then scheduled to become the first American woman to go to space.
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Source: NASA Advertisement, Ebony
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 Source: First Class of Female Astronauts, NASA |
 Source: Astronaut Candidates Selected January, 1978, NASA Archives Photographer: Allie Lerman |
 Source: Astronaut Candidate Photograph, NASA Training Imagery |
On June 18, 1983 the Challenger space shuttle launched Ride into her orbit as a Mission Specialist. Her second mission was also aboard the Challenger and launched in October of 1984. This mission was also successful, and Ride was scheduled for a third mission when the Challenger unexpectedly exploded upon liftoff.
 Source: STS-7 Crew Image, NASA |
 Source: Inflight View of STS-7 Crew, NASA |
In 1987, she resigned from NASA to work at Stanford University. Ride remained an active part of NASA by speaking at various events and creating student programs funded by NASA. On July 23, 2012 Sally Ride passed away.
 Source: Sally Ride Science Participant, NASA |
 Source: Sally Ride Science Festival at Rice Space Institute |
