Origins & Early Life

Sally Kristen Ride (May 26, 1951 – July 23, 2012) was an American astronaut and physicist. Born in Southern California, she joined NASA in 1978, and in 1983, became the first American woman and the third woman to fly in space. She was the youngest American astronaut to have flown in space, having done so at the age of 32. Ride was a graduate of Stanford University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in physics and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature in 1973, a Master of Science degree in 1975, and a Doctor of Philosophy in 1978 (both in physics) for research on the interaction of X-rays with the interstellar medium.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

She was selected as a mission specialist astronaut with NASA Astronaut Group 8, the first class of NASA astronauts to include women. After completing her training in 1979, she served as the ground-based capsule communicator (CapCom) for the second and third Space Shuttle flights, and helped develop the Space Shuttle's robotic arm. In June 1983, she flew in space on the Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-7 mission. The mission deployed two communications satellites and the first Shuttle pallet satellite (SPAS-1). Ride operated the robotic arm to deploy...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abanindranath Tagore — Contemporary (Died in 1951) (1951): Pioneering figure of the Bengal School, modernizing Indian art against Western influence.
• Alvin E. Roth — Contemporary (Born in 1951) (1951): Pioneering economist known for game theory and market design solutions.
• André Gide — Contemporary (Died in 1951) (1951): Pioneering French author, Nobel laureate known for exploring selfhood and transgression.
• Adam Yauch — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Founding member of Beastie Boys; influential rapper, filmmaker, and Tibetan activist.
• Alfred F. Young — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering American historian of the Revolution and working-class social history.
• Barbara Ann Scott — Contemporary (Died in 2012) (2012): Pioneering Canadian figure skater, Olympic champion, and national icon.
• Alexander Pushkin — Shared historical date (05-26 · Born) (1799): Founder of modern Russian literature and a towering figure of the Romantic era.
• Bayezid II — Shared historical date (05-26 · Died) (1512): Sultan of the Ottoman Empire, known for consolidating power and resettling Sephardi Jews.
• Alan Brooke, 1st Viscount Alanbrooke — Shared historical date (07-23 · Born) (1883): British Field Marshal and Chief of the Imperial General Staff during WWII.
• Alison Krauss — Shared historical date (07-23 · Born) (1971): Esteemed American bluegrass singer and musician known for her vibrant career.
• 1951 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1951
• May 26 (05-26) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 26
• 2012 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2012
• July 23 (07-23) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on July 23