For whatever reason, I didn't succumb to the stereotype that science wasn't for girls. I got encouragement from my parents. I never ran into a teacher or a counselor who told me that science was for boys. A lot of my friends did. Sally Ride boycounselorencouragement share on social
Yes, I did feel a special responsibility to be the first American woman in space. Sally Ride americanfeelresponsibility Change image and share on social
The pressure suit helps if something goes wrong during launch or re-entry - astronauts have a way to parachute off the shuttle. The suits protect you from loss of pressure in case of emergency. Sally Ride astronautcaseemergency Change image and share on social
When the space shuttle's engines cut off, and you're finally in space, in orbit, weightless... I remember unstrapping from my seat, floating over to the window, and that's when I got my first view of Earth. Just a spectacular view, and a chance to see our planet as a planet. Sally Ride chancecutearth share on social
After the Challenger accident, NASA put in a lot of time to improve the safety of the space shuttle to fix the things that had gone wrong. Sally Ride accidentchallengerfix Change image and share on social
The space shuttle is a better and safer rocket than it was before the Challenger accident. Sally Ride accidentchallengerrocket Change image and share on social
For quite some time, women at NASA only had scientific backgrounds. Sally Ride backgroundnasascientific Change image and share on social
No, I think most astronauts recognize that the space shuttle program is very high-risk, and are prepared for accidents. Sally Ride accidentastronauthigh Change image and share on social
The experience of being in space didn't change my perspective of myself or of the planet or of life. I had no spiritual experience. Sally Ride changeexperiencelife Change image and share on social
I've spent my whole life not talking to people, and I don't see why I should start now. Sally Ride havelifepeople Change image and share on social