NASA astronaut Mary Cleave, the first woman to fly on a space shuttle mission after the Challenger disaster, has passed away at age 76, NASA announced Wednesday. NASA did not disclose the cause of death. Cleave, a native of Great Neck, New York, became a trailblazing figure in the agency, serving on two spaceflights and making history as the first woman to lead NASA’s Science Mission Directorate as associate administrator.
Prior to her career at NASA, Cleave studied biological sciences at Colorado State University and earned a master’s in microbial ecology as well as a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering from Utah State University. Sharing escapades of flying airplanes as a child, her passion led her to earn a pilot’s license before her driver’s license. Cleave initially strived to become a flight attendant, but her height prevented this career. However, with time, she went on to join NASA in 1980 after seeing an ad for scientists to join the astronaut corps plastered on a post office wall.
Joining NASA’s Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1985, she became the 10th woman to travel to space, where she operated the shuttle’s robotic arm. Subsequently, Cleave was part of the Atlantis team once again in 1989 as the agency moved to all-male crews following the 1986 Challenger explosion. Striving to make advancements in her field even as she made history for female astronauts at NASA, Cleave downplayed her role in the field of NASA, noting, “People tried to make a point of it, and I just let everybody know that I didn’t think that anybody should be making a special point out of this.”
During her time at NASA, Cleave observed changes on Earth from space and eventually chose to move on from the astronaut corps to focus on environmental concerns. She took on a role at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, working on the SeaWiFS project which monitored oceanic habits. She eventually moved on to NASA’s headquarters in Washington, DC, becoming the first woman to hold the title of associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
Cleave retired from NASA in 2007, and then dedicated her time to volunteering work and encouraging women to pursue careers in science. Her incredible journey breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of female astronauts is remembered fondly by all who knew her.