Or Destiny?
It may seem like a lucky coincidence, but it was more than that for Ride. It was her destiny. In a handwritten note, the Ph.D. student wrote that she was “interested in the space shuttle program” and asked NASA to “Please send me the forms necessary to apply as a space ‘mission specialist’ candidate.’”
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This letter was the first step in Sally Ride becoming the first American woman and the second woman in history to go to outer space. She answered an ad, was selected by NASA, and her first legendary journey to space started on June 18th, 1983, over 36 years ago. With her two trips to space, Sally became an essential figure in improving science, even years after her death.