Sally Ride was born on May 26, 1951, and she joined NASA in 1978 as one of 35 candidates selected for the astronaut program. She made history on June 18, 1983, when she flew on the Challenger’s STS-7 mission, becoming the first American woman in space. She operated the robotic arm to deploy satellites and conducted various experiments aboard the Shuttle. Her second mission, STS-41-G, took place in October 1984, where she was part of a crew that included the first mother in space, as well as the first American woman to walk in space.

After leaving NASA in 1987, Ride dedicated her efforts to education and outreach, particularly in the fields of science and technology. In 2001, she founded Sally Ride Science, an organization committed to promoting science literacy and inspiring young students to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).

The accomplished astronaut authored several books, including works aimed at children that simplified complex scientific topics. In recognition of her…