Sally Ride, pioneering astronaut, dead at 61

(CBS News) Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, has passed away at the age of 61 after a courageous 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer at her home in La Jolla, Calif., her foundation said in a press release.

Ride was a physicist when she answered a NASA ad seeking applicants for the space program. At the age of 32, Ride both blazed a trail for female astronauts and became the then-youngest American astronaut when she blasted off on the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1983.

"The thing that I will remember most about that flight is that it was fun, and I am sure it is the most fun that I will ever have in my life," Ride said once.

She flew again in 1984, and served on the panel that investigated the Challenger disaster.

According to her NASA biography, Ride first became an astronaut candidate in 1978, and she served both on the ground and in space in a variety of missions and capacities until she joined the faculty at UC San Diego in 1989, where she was a Professor of Physics and Director of the University of California's California Space Institute.

In 2001, Ride founded Sally Ride Science, part of her ongoing mission to encourage students - and especially girls - to take up science studies. The foundation developed camps, festivals, and classes for children who dreamed about reaching for the stars.

Her foundation said in its press release: "After retiring from NASA, Sally used her high profile to champion a cause she believed in passionately--inspiring young people, especially girls, to stick with their interest in science, to become scientifically literate, and to consider pursuing careers in science and engineering."

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Sally Ride: 1951-2012

Retired astronaut Eileen Collins, who called Ride an important mentor during her career, said the Sally Ride Science foundation did important and great work.

"Sally Ride was someone who was a fabulous role model for young girls who were aspiring to study math, science -- someone who was able to direct young girls who were interested in math and science to stay in math and science," Collins said. "That's what she believed in."

In March of this year, at a speech at the Allegheny County Women's Leadership Council in Pennsylvania, Ride said the reason more women aren't in science has nothing to do with whether or not women are good at math.

"The reasons are not reasons of interest or aptitude," Ride said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "The reasons are in our culture and subtle stereotypes that still exist. ... Even though we're trying to get rid of them, they're still there. It's easy to picture. You ask a kid to draw a scientist, they'll draw a geeky-looking guy that looks like Einstein, with a lab coat and a pocket protector, with no friends, who does work at 2 in the morning in a lab with no windows and no doors. No 12-year-old girl aspires to that."

In a statement, President Obama said he and wife Michelle were deeply saddened by the passing.

"As the first American woman to travel into space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model," Obama said. "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."

For years after pioneering ride, Ride gave many speeches about the thrill of space travel.

"The moment of ignition, there is absolutely nothing like it. There is so much power, so much thunder, you know that something that you have no control over at all is happening for the next 8-and-a-half minutes," Ride said once.

Ride is survived by her partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy, her mother, Joyce; her sister, Bear; her niece, Caitlin, and nephew, Whitney; her staff of 40 at Sally Ride Science; and many friends and colleagues around the country.

[Vetzero58]

This news comes as a shock and surprise.

Didn't even know she was sick.

She has always been an inspiration to me even though we are just 4 years apart. I have always admired and loved her and her work.

I will miss her to great extent.

Because of her example....I fly.

[tryhonesty]

Thank you Sally! Peace to you in the Heavens!

[MagnaCartaUK]

Such is human evolution and its recording of the names of pioneers, we sadly know little or nothing of the Viking, Minoan and Polynesian crews who were amongst the first. Yet 10 million years from now, when many more pioneers and scientific legends will have joined their ranks, the name of Sally Ride will thankfully be recorded, known and remembered as one who continued the genre. That's some legacy indeed. Condolences to all who knew her - in a way they remain immortal, least until science or similar re-unites us. R.I.P.

[Void-Master]

Good bye, Sally. Enjoy the stars...

[Jaylah54200]

Well said.

We've lost an icon.

[skeezix06]

As the first American woman in space, she opened the door for young girl's dreams and allowed them to see that achievements in space and science could become reality for them as well. RIP.

[myoleman]

I wonder whether her cancer has anything to do with the fact that she was exposed to radiation from outer space. I've heard that one the reasons NASA has stopped manned flights beyond low-Earth orbit is that there's really no safe protection against this kind of radiation, and people who go there have to submit themselves to periodic inspections to detect cancer and other ailments for the rest of their lives. I just hope she accepted Lord Jesus Christ as her only Savior at the end of her road. Condolences to her same-sex partner of 27 years. There's forgiveness available to all of us who repent and trust the the Lord.

[Jaylah54200]

Get over yourself. It makes NO difference whether she "accepted" your delusional fantasy of religion or not. And she loved who she loved, which is a damned sight more than anybody can say about your bigoted ass.

[djseavy]

And I wonder if you'll receive such "forgiveness." You seem to forget the passage that reads "judge ye not lest ye be judged." So, who do you think you are claiming she needed to repent? Perhaps you ought to look in the mirror - or is it to horrifying?

[lucifersshadow]

This is a great loss for America, more than ever, we now need people who inspire others to do great things.

[RogerInHawaii]

" Ride is survived by her partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy". According to a biography on wikipedia she was married to fellow astronaut Steven Hawley . Who's this Tam O'Shaugnessy person?

[gjc1n1]

Sally and Steve were divorced after 5 years of marriage, according to the NY Times. Tam was her partner. Let's leave it at that.

[JuliKell]

To RogerInHawaii -- "... this Tam O'Shaugnessy person ..." is someone with whom Dr. Ride shared her life for the past 27 years.

What a wonderful world this would be if everyone could find someone like that.

[rnrstar]

Rest in peace Sally. You are a true pioneer and I thank you for your service to this country and for breaking one of the ultimate glass ceilings.

[democracy8]

I couldn't have said it better.

[realtimecoffee]

Agreed. RIP Sally.

[rwsmith29456]

She will be missed.