Space exploration, at least from the United States, was a man's
world - or, rather, a male's out of this world - until 1978. The
Soviet Union sent a woman, Valentina Tereshkova into orbit in
1963. But until NASA accepted female astronaut candidates in
1978, only U.S. men had soared beyond the atmosphere. Then, in
1983, the first American woman went into space aboard the
shuttle Challenger. At the time, the 32-year-old also was the
youngest astronaut from this country. Her name was Sally Ride,
and she went on to a second shuttle mission in 1984, then to a
career with NASA that included investigating the 1986 Challenger
tragedy. Later, Ride founded her own company, taught college
physics and wrote five science books for children. Ride died
this week, at age 61, of cancer. She was "a national hero and a
powerful role model," commented President Barack Obama, adding,
"She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the
stars." Both physically and mentally, traveling into space is
beyond the capabilities of t