Hot! Sally Ride

Three days before one of her space shuttle launches into space, Sally Ride takes a last look at Houston.

(Credit: NASA)

Sally K. Ride, the first American woman in space and an advocate for science education, died today after a bout with pancreatic cancer. She was 61.

" Sally Ride died peacefully on July 23, 2012 after a courageous 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer," according to a statement on the Sally Ride Science Web site . "Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, joy, and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless."

In a statement released by the White House, President Obama said "Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sally Ride. As the first American woman to travel into space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model. She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools.

"Sally's life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sally's family and friends."

Said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, a former shuttle commander: "Sally Ride broke barriers with grace and professionalism and literally changed the face of America's space program."

Sally Ride: Farewell to an American original (pictures)

"The nation has lost one of its finest leaders, teachers and explorers," he said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Sally's family and the many she inspired. She will be missed, but her star will always shine brightly."

Most recently the president and CEO of Sally Ride Science, the former shuttle astronaut held a doctorate in physics and was one of the initial group of six women selected by NASA in 1978 to train for upcoming shuttle flights. Joining Ride were Shannon Lucid, Rhea Seddon, Kathryn Sullivan, Judy Resnik and Anna Fisher.

Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian cosmonaut, became the first woman to fly in space in 1963. But in the U.S. space program, NASA astronauts were chosen primarily from the ranks of military test pilots and through the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs they were all male.

But with the space shuttle, NASA created a new class of astronaut, the "mission specialist," and opened the door to non-pilots with advanced degrees and professional experience in science and high technology.

Ride was a perfect fit, seeming to embody the "right stuff" image of an astronaut with easy grace and a ready smile that endeared her to millions.