Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Today in History: Sally Ride makes history as first American woman in space

6/18/2025

50 3

Summary

Story summary

On June 18, 1983, astronaut Sally Ride made history aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman and the third woman overall to fly in space. This milestone marked a significant advancement for women in the field of space exploration, showcasing Ride's contributions to NASA and inspiring future generations of female astronauts.

1 of 1

Story summary

On June 18, 1983, astronaut Sally Ride made history aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger, becoming the first American woman and the third woman overall to fly in space. This milestone marked a significant advancement for women in the field of space exploration, showcasing Ride's contributions to NASA and inspiring future generations of female astronauts.