Wally Funk went to space!

[smock]

In the 1960s, a group of women passed NASA's astronaut training tests – only to be told that women couldn't go to space. One of those women was 22-year-old Wally Funk, who spent 10 hours and 35 minutes in an isolation tank, hours longer than the male Mercury astronauts. 

NASA finally accepted women to its astronaut training program in 1978. Wally applied four times but NASA rejected her every time because she had the wrong degree.

But Wally kept the dream alive – and now, in 2021, she's going to space in her 80s. 

ETA: WALLY DID IT! Check out the look on her face: 

This is such an amazing story (and a REALLY smart PR move on Jeff Bezos's part). I'm just so happy for Wally!

www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2021/07/jeff-bezos-wally-funk-blue-origin/619344/


 

[onthemove]

www.amazon.com/Mercury-13-Story-Thirteen-Flight/dp/0375758933/ref=asc_df_0375758933/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=343206877892&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5975586477068950364&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008192&hvtargid=pla-436410321816&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=66484627102&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=343206877892&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5975586477068950364&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9008192&hvtargid=pla-436410321816

This is super exciting, and this is a book about the Mercury 13 Women.

[Jalapeñomel]

This is amazing!

[orangello]

Amazing. I got the chills 💕

[Pom]

H & I: “No, you’re crying.”

Godspeed Wally. ❤️

[Velar Fricative]

Jeff Bezos is still the worst but I am so so so happy for Wally.

[landmermaid]

This made me tear up. What an amazing story.

[mcppalmbeach]

Definitely cried. I’m so happy for her

[mrsukyankee]

That's brilliant!

[aliciabella]

Is this Jack Black's mom? Either way good for her! What a great ending to a misogynistic story.

[Pom]

Wally finally made it to space and is home safe.

[tiki]

Hearing her comments and excitement the whole time was so inspiring!

[notreal]

Jul 20, 2021 8:35:37 GMT -5 Pom said:

Wally finally made it to space and is home safe.

Yay! I was a bit worried for her the whole time.  I hope she gets all the interviews.

[smock]

I was really nervous about the launch today. Not because of the Bezos brothers, but because of Wally. But her face when she stepped out of the capsule told the entire story. I still think the billionaire space race is bullshit, but I'm so glad Wally got to go to space!

[icedcoffee]

<3 Bless her and her determination and all of the scientists who made this happen. So happy for her.

[raangoli]

OMG that look on her face - I'm crying. How amazing for her.

Also eff John Glenn. I love that she is now the oldest person in space, breaking his record.

[cattledogkisses]

I'm so happy that she finally got to live her dream! Her life story sounds utterly badass.

Also, when this was first posted I fell down the rabbit hole reading about the Mercury 13 and got so mad at stupid sexist men trying to limit what they think women should be able to do.

[raangoli]

Tangentially related : Apple TV has a show called For All Mankind. It explores an alternate world where women were allowed in space and where we colonized the moon. They borrow names and some facts from reality and then go from there. There are two seasons so far that are pretty good - slow at times, but good.