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Today in History: Eileen Collins makes history as first female Shuttle pilot

2/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On February 3, 1995, the Space Shuttle Discovery launched on mission STS-63, marking a significant milestone in the U.S.-Russian Shuttle–Mir program. Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot a Space Shuttle. The mission achieved the first rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir and included notable extravehicular activities by astronauts Michael Foale and Bernard Harris Jr.

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Story summary

On February 3, 1995, the Space Shuttle Discovery launched on mission STS-63, marking a significant milestone in the U.S.-Russian Shuttle–Mir program. Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot a Space Shuttle. The mission achieved the first rendezvous with the Russian space station Mir and included notable extravehicular activities by astronauts Michael Foale and Bernard Harris Jr.