Trailblazing Aviatrix Wally Funk, First Woman in Space, Passes at 87

Wally Funk, a groundbreaking aviation pioneer and the oldest living woman to travel to space, has passed away at the age of 87. Her death, confirmed by close friend and caregiver Duff O’Dell, followed a recent illness and falls at her Grapevine, Texas residence, O’Dell shared with the Associated Press.

A revered resident of Grapevine, Funk’s remarkable journey in aviation and space exploration leaves an indelible mark. The city celebrated her life, highlighting her as a symbol of resilience and excellence in breaking gender barriers.

Born in 1939, Funk’s career spanned decades of aviation mastery. She earned her pilot’s license at Stephens College, studied education at Oklahoma State University, and became a trailblazing flight instructor—breaking gender norms as the sole female instructor at a U.S. military base.

In 1961, Funk joined the unofficially sanctioned Mercury 13 program, a private initiative to evaluate female pilots for astronaut roles. She outperformed male candidates in rigorous tests, including a sensory deprivation tank where she exceeded astronaut John Glenn’s results. Despite her success, the program was canceled due to gender-related skepticism, and NASA later excluded women from its astronaut program until 1978.

Overcoming repeated rejections, Funk persisted in aviation. She owned a flying school in Taos, New Mexico, logged over 19,600 flight hours, and served as an FAA inspector. Her memoir and relentless spirit underscored her mantra: “I’ll be flying till I die.”

At 82, Funk finally realized her space dream aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket in 2021. As the oldest person and first woman to launch that year, she celebrated her achievement with a post-flight statement: “I want to go again, fast. I loved every minute.” Blue Origin honored her as a pioneer, noting her historical role as the oldest woman in space.

Funk’s legacy, celebrated by NASA and Blue Origin, continues to inspire future generations. Administrator Jared Isaacman praised her perseverance, stating, “Wally’s dream of space defied limits. Her work will forever inspire explorers worldwide.”

Source link