Sally Ride and the STS-7 crew launch into space on June 18, 1983 on the Challenger shuttle. (Photo: NASA) |
Sally Ride died peacefully today surrounded by family at the age of 61 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer (Swedish: cancer i bukspottskörteln). Sally Ride was the first American woman to fly in space on June 18, 1983 as part of the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger. She flew twice in space before leaving NASA and pursuing a career as an educator.