PHOTOS: 35 Years Ago, Astronaut Sally Ride Became the First American Woman in Space

Thirty-five years ago Monday, NASA astronaut Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.

12 photos
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Astronaut Sally Ride floats on the Challenger flight deck.
NASA
Astronaut Sally Ride floats on the Challenger flight deck.
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Sally Ride is pictured with NASA's first female astronaut candidates in Florida in 1978.
NASA
Sally Ride is pictured with NASA's first female astronaut candidates in Florida in 1978.
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Astronaut Sally Ride, exits the Shuttle Mission Simulator following a training session in the Johnson Space Center’s Mission Simulation and Training Facility.
NASA
Astronaut Sally Ride, exits the Shuttle Mission Simulator following a training session in the Johnson Space Center’s Mission Simulation and Training Facility.
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Astronaut Sally Ride is pictured with a set of tools on space shuttle Challenger. Her shirt features the acronym TFNG, which stands for thirty-five new guys in reference to the astronaut class of 1978.
NASA
Astronaut Sally Ride is pictured with a set of tools on space shuttle Challenger. Her shirt features the acronym TFNG, which stands for thirty-five new guys in reference to the astronaut class of 1978.
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Sally Ride is pictured with her mission crewmates. Front row, left to right: Ride, Commander Bob Crippen, Pilot Frederick Hauck. Back row, left to right: John Fabian, Norm Thagard
NASA
Sally Ride is pictured with her mission crewmates. Front row, left to right: Ride, Commander Bob Crippen, Pilot Frederick Hauck. Back row, left to right: John Fabian, Norm Thagard
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Sally Ride and her crewmates rocket skyward aboard Challenger at 7:33 a.m. EDT on June 18, 1983.
NASA
Sally Ride and her crewmates rocket skyward aboard Challenger at 7:33 a.m. EDT on June 18, 1983.
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NASA
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Astronaut Sally Ride in pictured June 15, 1983 three days before her flight aboard space shuttle Challenger. She is in the cockpit of a T-38 jet.
NASA
Astronaut Sally Ride in pictured June 15, 1983 three days before her flight aboard space shuttle Challenger. She is in the cockpit of a T-38 jet.
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Sally Ride takes her seat aboard the space shuttle.
NASA
Sally Ride takes her seat aboard the space shuttle.
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Astronaut Sally Ride is pictured aboard Challenger.
NASA
Astronaut Sally Ride is pictured aboard Challenger.
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Flowers are placed at the Sally Ride Memorial Tree at Johnson Space Center in Texas after the astronaut's death July 23, 2012.
NASA
Flowers are placed at the Sally Ride Memorial Tree at Johnson Space Center in Texas after the astronaut's death July 23, 2012.
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Astronaut and scientist Sally Ride is pictured at the Sally Ride Science Festival at NASA's Ames Research Center.
Astronaut and scientist Sally Ride is pictured at the Sally Ride Science Festival at NASA's Ames Research Center.
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