Decoder with Nilay Patel More than Sally Ride: Loren Grush explains how NASA’s first women astronauts changed space
Sep 12, 2023
Loren Grush, a space reporter at Bloomberg and author of "The Six: The Untold Story of America's First Women Astronauts," dives into the groundbreaking stories of NASA's early female astronauts. She shares how Sally Ride and her peers navigated a male-dominated space program, their struggles for representation, and how their legacies influence today's space exploration. The conversation touches on the challenges faced post-Challenger disaster, ongoing diversity efforts in NASA, and how these pioneers paved the way for future generations in STEM.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Astronaut Selection
- NASA's astronaut selection process involved rigorous tests and interviews.
- Finalists faced physicals, psychological evaluations, and a crucial interview with the selection committee.
Early Diversity Efforts
- NASA's diversity push predates modern DEI discussions.
- The inclusion of women astronauts was driven by a sense that their absence was unusual.
Navigating Sexism
- The women astronauts faced a boys' club culture at NASA, encountering sexism and outdated views.
- They navigated these challenges delicately to avoid jeopardizing women's inclusion in the program.
