Sally Ride

Ride had a master’s and doctorate in astrophysics from Stanford University. She was one of 35 people chosen to join the astronaut program from 8,300 applicants when NASA sought to hire more people with science backgrounds. (Jessica Mann / Orlando Sentinel)

July 23, 2012 5:02 PM PT

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Astronaut Sally Ride has died at 61. She became the first American woman to fly in space when she rode in the shuttle Challenger in 1983. Read story

Ride participates in a fire training exercise before her first space shuttle launch. (Red Huber / Orlando Sentinel)

The crew of STS-7 were from left Sally Ride, John Fabian, Cmdr. Robert Crippen, Norman Thagard and Frederick (AFP / Getty Images)

Ride talks to ground controllers from space in June 1983. (AFP / Getty Images)

Ride served on commissions looking into the Columbia and Challenger disasters. (Sandy Huffaker / Getty Images)

President Obama greets former astronaut Sally Ride in Washington in 2010. (Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images)

Sally Ride’s career as an astronaut made her a household name and a symbol of the ability of women to break the glass ceiling, inspiring generations of young girls and women who came after her. (Tom Burton / Orlando Sentinel)

Obituaries

Sally Ride

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