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Astronauts

Sally Ride

By Keith Cowing
NASA Watch
July 23, 2012
Filed under ,

NASA Offers Condolences on the Passing of Pioneering Astronaut Sally Ride
“Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism – and literally changed the face of America’s space program,” said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. “The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers. Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally’s family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly.”
Statement by the President on the Passing of Sally Ride
“She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools. Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sally’s family and friends.”
Challenger Center for Space Science Education Statement on the Passing of Sally Ride
“We are deeply saddened to hear of Sally Ride’s passing. Her passion brought STEM education to the forefront and for that we will be forever grateful. She will continue to be a great source of inspiration for students around the globe. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and loved ones.” – Dr. Scott Parazynski, MD, chairman of Challenger Center for Space Science Education
Statement from Nancy Conrad regarding the passing of Sally Ride
“The Conrad Foundation and our students and partners are saddened to hear of Sally Ride’s untimely death. Sally was a great physicist, astronaut, educator and American hero. She dedicated her life to bringing the world of science to girls with her Sally Ride Science Academy and Camps. She was a wonderful role model for young women and girls and will be sadly missed. We salute her contribution to our nation and to our future.”
Keith’s note: Astronaut Sally Ride died hours before Aviator Amelia Earhart’s 115th birthday. Ah history – you make such poignant connections.

NASA Watch founder, Explorers Club Fellow, ex-NASA, Away Teams, Journalist, Space & Astrobiology, Lapsed climber.

14 responses to “Sally Ride”

  1. Matthew Pickett says:
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    no.

  2. Vladislaw says:
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    wow.. didn’t see that coming. Condelances to the family. She was a shining star in the space program and truely brought kids to learn about space.

  3. DTARS says:
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    Hero of mine!

  4. Russel aka 'Rusty' Shackleford says:
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    Damnit!  Eff Cancer!  Godspeed Sally!

  5. Anonymous says:
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    God speed, God bless, Sally Ride.

  6. John Mckenna says:
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    We worked together on SPAS and the PAM boosted payloads on STS-7 and again on 41-G, we did orbital refueling tests to flow hydrazine on ORS, she was smart, clever and we had fun in the debrief parties as well, she will be missed.

  7. rktsci says:
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    She was very highly regarded by the engineers @ JSC, unlike some of her fellow astronauts.
    Rode the elevator with her in Building at JSC a couple of times. One was when the Rogers Commission report was released. She got on the elevator with 2 boxes of the report to pass out to the managers and was struggling with them. I offered to take one box and went with her to the center director’s office.

  8. MarkUhran says:
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    Sally was an inspiration for all of human spaceflight. She understood the power space has to inspire students to pursue STEM careers; knew the differences between managing basic and applied research, and; recognized the intrinsic value of the ISS and its importance in the evolution of spaceflight. She was a woman of extraordinary leadership bearing and intellect.

    Her passing is a terrible loss to the space community.

  9. DocM says:
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    Well done Ms. Ride, well done.

    RIP

  10. ski4ever says:
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    Such an inspiration, and a true leader. What an incredible life. It is so sad to lose one of the few astronauts of our time to cross over into the mainstream media. When you asked my mother what she thought of NASA — she would default to Sally Ride and her great work for education. She will be missed.

  11. Craig Lee says:
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    Rest in peace, Sally. Say “hi” to Judy for us. 

  12. Christopher Miles says:
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    Thank you for your service and spirit. 

    RIP, Sally Ride

  13. Steve Pemberton says:
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    In the early 80’s a relative of mine did some freelance photography for NASA at JSC and got to meet Sally. Sometime later he was giving another relative of mine a tour and Sally happened to be walking by, spotted my relative and went out of her way to walk over and say hello. This was at the height of her fame shortly after her first flight. I have a feeling that this was just one example out of thousands of her generosity.

  14. Andrew Gasser says:
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    Its a shame we lost Sally so soon.  I remember watching her in elementary on her mission with OV-99.  I think it was this mission, STS-7(?), that really turned me on to NASA and space flight.

    God Speed Sally…

    Respectfully,
    Andrew Gasser