Sally Ride

26 May 1951 – 23 July 2012

Sally Ride was an American astronaut and physicist who in 1983 became the first American woman to fly in space, aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-7. She flew a second shuttle mission in 1984 and served on the commissions investigating the Challenger and Columbia accidents. After leaving NASA she taught physics at the University of California, San Diego and founded a science education company.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Sally Ride.

Life events

Born in Los Angeles, California
26 May 1951
Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Graduated from Stanford University with degrees in English and physics
1973

Received a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Bachelor of Science in physics.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned a PhD in physics from Stanford University
1978

Completed doctoral research in astrophysics on the interaction of X-rays with the interstellar medium.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Selected as a NASA astronaut candidate
1978

One of six women chosen in NASA Astronaut Group 8, the first group to include women.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married the astronaut Steven Hawley
1982 – 1987

The couple divorced in 1987.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became the first American woman in space on mission STS-7
18 June 1983

Flew as a mission specialist aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Flew a second shuttle mission, STS-41-G
October 1984

Her second and final spaceflight, again aboard Challenger.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Served on the Rogers Commission investigating the Challenger accident
1986

Was the only astronaut appointed to the presidential commission.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Became a professor of physics at the University of California, San Diego
1989

Left NASA in 1987 and later joined UC San Diego, also directing the California Space Institute.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in La Jolla, California
23 July 2012

Died of pancreatic cancer at the age of 61.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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