Sally Ride, First American Woman in Space, Dies

Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, has died of cancer, her organization, Sally Ride Science, has announced.

Ride, 61, joined NASA in 1978, helped develop the space shuttles robotic arm and flew a total of 343 hours in space as a crew member on space shuttle Challenger missions, launched in June 1983 and October 1984.

She later worked at the Stanford University Center for International Security and Arms Control, taught physics at the University of California-San Diego and was director of the California Space Institute.

U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami Gardens, issued the following statement:

It is with a heavy heart that I learned of the passing of space pioneer Sally K. Ride. As the first American woman in space, Sally inspired a generation of young women to reach for the stars. I remember watching on TV on June 18, 1983, when Sally made history, and many students pursued careers in the sciences because of her. As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, it is my mission to continue to advance STEM education and space exploration. I hope that Congress uses Sallys memory to continue dedicating our country toward the research that was near and dear to her heart.