Sally Ride 1983

Sally Kristen Ride originally form Encino, California is famously known for being the first American women in Space. At a younger age Miss Sally Ride had no intention of going to space but had the goal of becoming a professional tennis player. She graduated in 1968 then went on to try to become a pro at tennis. Once realizing that her chances of becoming successful at tennis were slim to none, Miss Ride attended Stanford University. Not letting anything slow her down Sally Ride came out with a B.A., B.S., and Masters’ Degrees at the age of 27. Now as a Ph.D. candidate she searched for a job in astrophysics. Fortunately NASA had been looking for astronauts and that is where it all began for Dr. Ride. Selected out of 8,000 people Sally Ride was one of the few women chosen for the space camp in 1977. At NASA, Ride engaged in a wide spread of training: parachute jumping, gravity and weightlessness training, water survival, radio communications and navigation. With her knowledge Ride was able to contribute to fights to space. In 1991 and 1982 Dr. Ride was the communications officer for the space shuttle Columbia. She also joined a team which designed the remote mechanical arm, a device used to set up satellites. Her shining moment didn’t come until 1983 when it was marked in history as Dr. Sally Ride became the first American Woman in space. The craft she boarded was the Challenger (STS-7). She was on the Challenger (STS 41-G) for eight days on her second flight in 1984. In total Dr. Ride has been in space for over 343 hours. Dr. Sally Ride continued to be impressive in the astro-world. She organized the “Office of Exploration” she also wrote an article “Leadership and America’s Future in Space” to promote a bright future for astronomers and astronauts. In 1987 Ride left NASA for retirement and became, “a science fellow at the Center of International Security and Arms Control at Stanford University.” As a role model for young women who are interested in mathematics and sciences Dr. Ride taught as a Physics Professor at the University of California. Ride is an example of a determined woman doing more than thought possible. As a leader in the science community she has opened up possibilities for women to make things happen.

Sally Kristen Ride. 1 June 2009 <http://www.lucidcafe.com/library/96may/ride.html>