NASA and the space program collectively represent American strength and scientific achievement. A little over half a century ago, we as Americans decided to venture into space for ourselves. NASA, however, didn’t always paint a picturesque image inclusion. For years, their “qualifications” were designed to bar women from joining the program as astronauts. However, this did not stop women, they continued to work behind the scenes and fought for the chance to be included at the forefront of these crucial scientific missions. Through their struggle, we can see the evolution of the history of the US space Program and the inclusion of women.
In the 1950s, the US Space Program and NASA embodied the space race and American dream. However, …show more content…
This was a time of great change in all aspects of American life and the ideals of the civil rights movements penetrated even into space. It could have been for political pressure or pressure put directly on NASA by women, but the time had finally come for women to be astronauts. The start of the shuttle program ushered in this new era. The shuttle program allowed NASA to bring up to eight people at a time into space. It revolutionized space travel and created a demand for a new core of astronauts and “mission specialists”, and this time, they called for women and minorities to apply. They even got Startrek’s famous star, Michelle Nichols to help in the recruitment process for viable candidates across the country. However, six eager women did not need to be recruited. They volunteered readily. Anna Fisher, Shannon Lucid, Kathryn Sullivan, Rhea Seddon, Sally Ride, and Judy Resnik were the first six women ever picked to be astronauts. They were part of the “class of thirty-five new guys”. Although they were only a small fraction of the astronauts chosen for this new class of spacemen, they represented the first presence of women in the space program. These six women became celebrities and a source of national attention. Sally ride became the first woman in space on the STS7. Kathy Sullivan went on to become the first woman to “walk” in space. Judy Resnik and Krista McCullough became the first women to die in space. They were victims in the challenger explosion. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman in space. By the time American space travel to the moon had reached a close, the thought of women in space was no longer a foreign
In the 1950s, the US Space Program and NASA embodied the space race and American dream. However, …show more content…
This was a time of great change in all aspects of American life and the ideals of the civil rights movements penetrated even into space. It could have been for political pressure or pressure put directly on NASA by women, but the time had finally come for women to be astronauts. The start of the shuttle program ushered in this new era. The shuttle program allowed NASA to bring up to eight people at a time into space. It revolutionized space travel and created a demand for a new core of astronauts and “mission specialists”, and this time, they called for women and minorities to apply. They even got Startrek’s famous star, Michelle Nichols to help in the recruitment process for viable candidates across the country. However, six eager women did not need to be recruited. They volunteered readily. Anna Fisher, Shannon Lucid, Kathryn Sullivan, Rhea Seddon, Sally Ride, and Judy Resnik were the first six women ever picked to be astronauts. They were part of the “class of thirty-five new guys”. Although they were only a small fraction of the astronauts chosen for this new class of spacemen, they represented the first presence of women in the space program. These six women became celebrities and a source of national attention. Sally ride became the first woman in space on the STS7. Kathy Sullivan went on to become the first woman to “walk” in space. Judy Resnik and Krista McCullough became the first women to die in space. They were victims in the challenger explosion. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman in space. By the time American space travel to the moon had reached a close, the thought of women in space was no longer a foreign