Harvard Professor Avi Loeb on the questions surrounding UFOs after NASA claims there is no connection to aliens Retired astronaut Mary Cleave, the first woman to crew a spaceflight after the shocking Challenger explosion of 1986, died on Monday, NASA announced. She was 76. A cause of death was not immediately released.
Cleave, a scientist with training in civil and environmental engineering, was the first woman to serve as an associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. She was known as a trailblazer and a force of nature, with a passion for science, exploration, and caring for our home planet.
Born in Southampton, New York, in 1947, Mary Cleave received a Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences from Colorado State University, Fort Collins, in 1969. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science in microbial ecology and a doctorate in civil and environmental engineering at Utah State University, Logan, in 1975 and 1979, respectively.
Cleave’s journey as an astronaut began in May 1980 when she was selected for the program. Her first NASA mission, STS-61B, took place on November 26, 1985, aboard the space shuttle Atlantis. During this mission, Cleave and her crew deployed communications satellites, conducted spacewalks, and tested various experiments.
Tragedy struck in 1986 when the Challenger exploded shortly after launch, resulting in the loss of seven astronauts. However, Cleave’s determination and resilience led her to become the first woman to fly in space after the Challenger disaster. Her second mission, STS-30, took place in 1989 aboard the shuttle Atlantis. During this mission, the crew successfully deployed the Magellan Venus exploration spacecraft and worked on various secondary payloads.
Following her space missions, Cleave continued her contributions to NASA by working at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, where she monitored global ocean vegetation. She later became deputy associate administrator for advanced planning in the Office of Earth Science at NASA’s Headquarters in Washington, D.C. From 2005 to 2007, she served as the associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, overseeing research and scientific exploration programs.
Throughout her career, Cleave received numerous awards and recognition for her achievements, including NASA Space Flight medals, Exceptional Service medals, and an Engineer of the Year award. She retired from NASA in February 2007, leaving behind a lasting legacy of dedication and groundbreaking contributions to space exploration.
The loss of Mary Cleave is deeply felt within the NASA community and the wider scientific community. Her trailblazing spirit and passion for science will be greatly missed.
