Pioneering NASA astronaut Eileen Collins, the first woman to command a space shuttle. She broke barriers in a field that has historically been male-dominated, and by accomplishing this she became the first woman to pilot and then command a NASA spacecraft. Wearing a familiar-looking orange spacesuit with a clear helmet, she was suited up for her last mission in 2005. With artistry and flair she sailed the Space Shuttle through a dazzling 360-degree roll below the International Space Station. This incredible accomplishment represents the high point of her decorated career. After four missions, she has decided to leave it up to others to explore space, making room for those who have yet to experience it.
Collins’ journey began in 1995 on her first mission. It was at that moment that she understood the world was at her feet, waiting for her to stumble. This pressure never sapped her; if anything, it honed her focus. Reflecting on the gravity of her position, she stated, “As the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle, I worked very hard at that because I didn’t want people to say, ‘Oh look, the woman has made a mistake.’ Because it wasn’t just about me, it was about the women to follow me.”
Her time at NASA was not without its strife. She found herself fighting pushback from engineers and program managers who thought too many missions were too risky. She remained resolute. “There were engineers and managers saying it couldn’t be done, all these reasons why it was too dangerous,” Collins remarked. Well, it feels like we have to do it.
Beyond her impressive career, Collins balanced being a mother and all it came with. In addition to her advocacy work, she’s the mother of two young children. She admitted that the requirements of being a parent are very similar to that of a commander. “The best training I ever had for being a commander was being a parent – because you have to learn how to say no to people,” she noted. Collins views both positions as “the two greatest jobs in the world.”
Chief on that list of challenges was the tragic Columbia shuttle disaster in 2003 that claimed the lives of seven crew members. Nevertheless, Collins remained deeply committed both to her mission and her team. She recalls clearly the moment she started shaking her head. The faces fill her thoughts of lost comrades from previous tragedies, such as the 1986 Challenger disaster.
I thought that if I pulled out of the mission it would be cowardly, shana person, senior policy advisor, hda She explained. My leadership aspiration was to be a courageous, radical leader. Her leadership went far beyond just managing difficult missions, but reflected her ability to instill confidence in others while operating under intense pressure.
Collins’s legacy further lives on through the film “Spacewoman,” which details her incredible accomplishments and pioneering career in aerospace. Her story serves as an inspiration for future generations, particularly young women aspiring to enter fields in science and technology.