The first woman to fly in space, Tereshkova orbited the earth 48 times in the Soviet craft, Vostok 6. For three days, she maintained a flight log, took photographs and manually oriented the spacecraft.

Women of Space

On June 18, 1983 Sally Ride became the first American woman to reach orbit. In the 25 years that came after, 40 other women followed her

The World's Most Competitive Space Programs

Email

Around the Web

Most Dangerous Neighborhoods: Detroit Home To 3 Most Violent Areas In America (SLIDESHOW) From THE HUFFINGTON POST
Farrah Abraham Porn Photos Leak: Former 'Teen Mom' Star Defends Selling Sex Tape (NSFW PHOTOS, VIDEO) From THE HUFFINGTON POST
Another “Journalist Bait” Study Was Probably Faked From SLATE
The Daily Currant Strikes Again, Dupes Drudge From SLATE

More Photos

Wildfires Ravage California Coast

Bangladesh's Industrial Accident: Scenes From a Terrifying Tragedy

The Empire State Building: An Icon in the City

Chaos and Killing in Syria: Photos of a Slow-Motion Civil War

Rare Photos for Willie Nelson's 80th

Person of the Year 2012: Barack Obama

TIME's 2012 Top 10 Everything in Arts & Entertainment

The Best Inventions of the Year 2012

The 2012 TIME 100