Sally Ride, astronaut and pioneer, returns to heaven.

America lost a pioneering woman yesterday when Sally Ride, the first American woman into space, lost her battle to pancreatic cancer. She was just 61 years old. Sally Ride rocketed into the history books in 1983 aboard the space shuttle Challenger, and never looked back.

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) -Upon word of her death, President Obama and NASA administrator Charles Bolden issued immediate statements. 

"Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model," said Obama. "She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars." 

Even that is an understatement. Sally Ride inspired an entire nation of men, women, and children to reach for the stars. 

After joining NASA in 1978 and working in various capacities in the agency, Ride began her flying career with a trip aboard Challenger in 1983 as a mission specialist. She came home only to turn around and do a second mission aboard Challenger in 1984. She was preparing for a third mission when Challenger exploded in 1986. During the spaceflight hiatus in 1987, Ride left NASA to become a physics professor and director of the California Space Institute. 

Sally Ride was 32 at the time of her first mission, making her the youngest American astronaut in space, even to this day. 

In 2001, Sally Ride took a bold step for girls by founding Sally Ride Science, a program designed to inspire girls to achieve success in math and science. She also wrote and co-wrote several books aimed at encouraging children to study science. 

Meanwhile, Ride served as an investigator in both the Challenger and Columbia accidents. She also advised President Obama in 2009 as he worked on setting tasks for NASA. Ride was not happy with the result however, complaining that it did not adequately fund the agency's exploration efforts. 

Ride was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and fought the disease for 17 months before passing away on Monday. Sally ride has no children and is survived by her partner of 27 years, Tam O'Shaughnessy. 

Following Rides' flight, a substantial number of women from several countries have flown into space aboard the shuttle. Women now make up a significant portion of the astronaut corps in several space faring nations. Most recently, China flew its first female astronaut, Liu Yang, 33. Yang returned to Earth on June 29. 

Sally Ride remains an inspiration to a great many spaceflight and science enthusiasts, and her work and legacy will continue to inspire millions through the years to come. Ride is a member of several halls of fame including the National Women's Hall of Fame and the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Two elementary schools are named after her. 

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