The definitive biography of Sally Ride, America's first woman in space, with exclusive insights from Ride's family and partner, by the ABC reporter who covered NASA during its transformation from a test-pilot boys' club to a more inclusive elite. A member of the first astronaut class to include women, Ride broke through a quarter-century of white male fighter jocks when NASA chose her for the seventh shuttle mission, cracking the celestial ceiling and inspiring several generations of women. She also served on the panels investigating the Challenger explosion and the Columbia disintegration that killed all aboard. In both instances she faulted NASA's rush to meet mission deadlines and its organizational failures. Sherr also writes about Ride's scrupulously guarded personal life to show us a fascinating woman whose life intersected with revolutionary social and scientific changes in America.

Includes index.

California girl -- 40-Love, Sally -- Wait! -- Thirty-five new guys -- First -- Reentry -- Explosions -- New territory -- Down to Earth -- Sally Ride science -- Duty calls -- The secret -- A very private thing -- Impact.