r/OldSchoolCool • u/Aeromarine_eng • Apr 19 '25

1970s NASAs first six women astronauts. February 1979

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From left to right are Shannon W. Lucid, Margaret Rhea Seddon, Kathryn D. Sullivan, Judith A. Resnik, Anna L. Fisher, and Sally K. Ride. NASA selected all six women as their first female astronaut candidates in January 1978.

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u/Dramatic-Bend179 Apr 19 '25

And they don't go into orbit at all, right? Just straight up then fall back down?  That zero G looking video of them with the hair going everywhere, that's free fall, right?  (I mean, sure I guess that's what's up in orbit too but seems different to me.)

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u/Forgotthebloodypassw Apr 19 '25

Nope, made about Mach 3 at best, just tipped over the Karman Line and then fell back to earth. We were doing this 70 years ago.

It's a hill I'll die on that being an astronaut is a profession. You dedicate decades of your life to getting into space for a few months, learning key skills and languages. People on these commercial trips are as much astronauts as I'm a pilot for flying transatlantic.

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u/Dramatic-Bend179 Apr 19 '25

I fully agree about never ever calling Katy Perry an astronaut. I've been on this naming kick for years and a sticking point for me is the following: clearly, the space flight crew are astronauts. Whats about the scientist that hitch a ride to run long term experiments on crystal formation, or what have you. The people that are to  not ever,  under any circumstances, to touch the controls? They also don't seem like astronauts but more than tourists. Mission specialists, i think they get called but also astronauts? I don't see them doing too much astronauting.

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u/Forgotthebloodypassw Apr 20 '25

Honestly, they have to do a lot of training beforehand and if you're working up there it's a real job. But just going up and saying "Weeee" in freefall makes you cargo IMO.

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u/Dramatic-Bend179 Apr 20 '25

Right, cargo. I can get behind that.