List of the top women astronauts who stepped into space

There are people who wish to conquer the world and then there are people who wish to conquer beyond. Among these great thinkers and achievers are many women astronauts who have demonstrated their exceptional skills and courage to break barriers and not only dream of going into space but also embark on that dream. Throughout history, women have struggled hard to fight against societal norms and embark on their journeys of exploration. Thus, it becomes essential to acknowledge those great names and appreciate their journeys.

Today, we have brought to you a list of the top women astronauts who broke their glass ceilings and made it to space. The list is not exhaustive, and there are still many more women astronauts who deserve all the recognition in the world.

Valentina Tereshkova

Image Source: Britannica

The first spot in our list definitely deserves the one who successfully ventured into the space as the first female to do so. Valentina Tereshkova was the very first female astronaut to step into space. Born in the year 1937 in Bolshoye Maslennikovo, USSR, the female astronaut once worked in a factory. However, in the year 1963, she piloted the Vostok 6 spacecraft around the planet. She orbited around Earth for 48 long hours. What makes this venture even more special is the fact that at this time, she was just 26 years old.

Svetlana Savitskaya

Image Source: Free Press Journal

The second on our list is Svetlana Savitskaya. Born in the year 1948, the record-breaking jet pilot was the second woman to enter space. The astronaut was born in the year 1948 in Moscow. As a teenager, she was fond of skydiving.

When the astronaut was in her 20s, she won the World Aerobatic Championship in the year 1970. This made her a cosmonaut. In the year 1982, she became an astronaut. Her first venture to space was not her last one. She traveled to space multiple times.

Sally Ride

Image Source: Teen Vogue

The next one on our list is actually the first American woman to step into space. In the year 1978, Sally Ride completed her Ph.D. at Stanford University in the field of physics. She was also chosen by NASA as an astronaut candidate simultaneously. She trained for five years and then, in 1983, flew on the Space Shuttle Challenger. Again, in just the next year, she flew on the Challenger.

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Christa McAuliffe

Image Source: Arab America

Christa McAuliffe was not only an astronaut but an American teacher as well from Concord, new Hampshire. She passed away on the Space Shuttle Challenger. Her last mission was the STS-51-L. In the mission, she served the role of a payload specialist.

Mae Jemison

Image Source: National Air and Space Museum

Sally Ride played an influential role in inspiring Mae Jemison to step into space. Jemison was born in the year 1956 and became an exemplary doctor and engineer. It was in the year 1987 when the lady was picked for the astronaut program by NASA.

It was on the STS-47 mission of the Space Shuttle Endeavour in which Mae Jemison orbited the blue planet. What makes her achievement even more special is the fact that she was the very first black woman in space. In the mission, Mae Jemison conducted a wide array of scientific experiments on frog fertility, bone cells, and motion sickness.

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Peggy Whitson

Image Source: Britannica

Peggy Whitson's journey to the space is special. What makes her achievements different from others is the fact that she was the very first female commander of ISS. Additionally, she spent a total of 665 days in space, thereby becoming the woman with the longest total time in space.

In April 2008, the lady faced an extremely violent landing aboard Soyuz TMA-11. 

Not to miss, she carried out her eighth EVA when she was 57 years of age in the year 2017. This made the woman the oldest one to undertake a spacewalk. Additionally, Peggy Whitson was also the very first female chief of the Astronaut Office of NASA.

Eileen Collins

Image Source: YouTube

Eileen Collins was born in the year 1956 and became a test pilot and military instructor. She became the very first female ever to fly the Space Shuttle. The lady was also the very first female commander ever of a Shuttle mission. Also, the lady was the very first one ever to fly the Shuttle via a 360-degree pitch maneuver.

Liu Yang

Image Source: The Daily Beast

The last one on our list is Liu Yang. Liu Yang was the very first Chinese woman in space. She was a major in the Chinese Air Force. It was in the year 1997 when Liu Yang joined the People's Liberation Army. It was in 2010 when the lady joined the astronaut corps.

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