Women In Space

Twenty years after cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983. June 18-24, 1983: Sally Ride → became the first American woman in space during the shuttle Challenger's STS-7 mission. At age 32, she was also the youngest American astronaut in space. The Picture on the right shows Sally Ride in Space Shuttle Challenger's cabin during STS-7. Credit: NASA