Nasa's first female space commander: I didn't want people to say 'the woman made a mistake'
Summary
Eileen Collins was the first woman to pilot and command a NASA spacecraft. She worked hard to prove women's competence in this role and balanced her duties as a space commander with being a mother of two. A new documentary, "Spacewoman," explores her groundbreaking career.Key Facts
- Eileen Collins was the first female pilot and commander of a NASA spacecraft.
- She became interested in being an astronaut at age nine after reading about the Gemini astronauts.
- Collins joined the military to become a test pilot and later joined NASA's astronaut program.
- She piloted her first Space Shuttle mission in 1995.
- Collins aimed to prove women's capabilities and build a good reputation for female pilots.
- She was a mother of two and often discussed this role alongside her career in press conferences.
- NASA's Space Shuttle program had highs and tragic events like the Challenger and Columbia disasters.
- Collins commanded a mission after the Columbia tragedy, aiming to lead with bravery and confidence.
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