Women have journeyed to space since 1963, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first. Since then, diverse astronauts from multiple nations have flown to orbit, the Moon, and the International Space Station, advancing scientific research and exploration. This overview profiles notable women, distinguishes crewed programs, and presents verified records. It explains how they trained, flew, and contributed to long-duration missions. The following sections provide milestone timelines, achievement comparisons, and factual distinctions between orbital, suborbital, and commercial spaceflight milestones for women worldwide.
Key Milestones for Women in Space
Several firsts mark the history of women in space, from the earliest Vostok and Voskhod flights to long-duration ISS expeditions and commercial crew programs. These milestones span government and commercial endeavors across multiple decades.
Firsts and Notable Records
- First woman in space: Valentina Tereshkova (USSR, Vostok 6, June 1963)
- First American woman in space: Sally Ride (STS-7, June 1983)
- First woman of color in space: Mae Jemison (STS-47, September 1992)
- First woman to command a Space Shuttle mission: Eileen Collins (STS-93, July 1999)
- First woman on the Moon: Not yet achieved; Artemis aims for a woman on the lunar surface
Longest Single Flights by Women
Endurance records help illustrate the physical and operational demands of spaceflight for women, with durations varying by mission and program.
Verified Mission Data and Comparisons
The table below summarizes notable women in space, their missions, durations, and roles based on publicly verified data from space agencies and historical records.
| Name | Nationality | Mission | Date | Role | Duration (days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentina Tereshkova | Soviet Union | Vostok 6 | 1963 | Pilot | 2.98 |
| Sally Ride | United States | STS-7 | 1983 | Mission Specialist | 6.45 |
| Mae Jemison | United States | STS-47 | 1922 | Mission Specialist | 7.90 |
| Eileen Collins | United States | STS-93 | 1999 | Commander | 9.47 |
| Anousheh Ansari | Iran / United States | Soyuz TMA-9 | 2007 | Spaceflight Participant | 8.01 |
| Christina Koch | United States | Expedition 59, 60, 61 | 2019–2020 | Flight Engineer | 328 |
| Jessica Meir | United States | Expedition 61/62 | 2019–2020 | Flight Engineer | 205 |
| Naoko Yamazaki | Japan | STS-131 | 2010 | Mission Specialist | 15.13 |
| Samantha Cristoforetti | Europe (ESA) | Expedition 42/43 | 2014–2015 | Flight Engineer | 199.5 |
| Karen Nyberg | United States | Expedition 36/37 | 2013–2103 | Flight Engineer | 183 |
Global Programs and Agencies Involved
Women astronauts and cosmonauts have flown under multiple national and commercial programs, including NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, CSA, and commercial crew providers. Each program has contributed pilots, mission specialists, and spaceflight participants.
Notable Non-American Programs
- Soviet Union/Russia: Valentina Tereshkova, Svetlana Savitskaya, Yelena Kondakova
- China: Wang Yaping (Shenzhou 10, Tiangong missions), Liu Yang (Shenzhou 9)
- Japan: Naoko Yamazaki (STS-131), Chiaki Mukai (STS-65, STS-95)
- European Space Agency: Samantha Cristoforetti, Claudie Haigneré
- Canada: Roberta Bondar (first Canadian woman in space), Julie Payette
Suborbital and Future Flights
While orbital missions define most historical firsts, suborbital tourism and developmental programs are expanding opportunities. As of now, no woman has yet traveled to the Moon on a landing mission, though programs such as NASA’s Artemis plan to include women on future lunar surface expeditions.
Suborbital Milestones (Verified)
- No woman has yet flown on a suborbital crewed commercial flight as of the latest available agency and company records.
- Private orbital and suborbital programs continue to include women in candidate and training phases, with selection decisions based on mission roles rather than gender.
Training, Roles, and Mission Contributions
Women astronauts train alongside their peers in survival, robotics, EVA, science, and systems operations. Onboard roles have ranged from pilot and commander to mission specialist and research participant, with many conducting experiments in biology, human research, technology demonstrations, and Earth observation.
Typical Training and Flight Roles
- Basic training: T-38 or equivalent flight training, survival, language (for ISS), technical systems
- Advanced training: EVA, robotics, specific experiment operations, spacecraft systems
- Mission roles: Pilot, Commander, Mission Specialist, Flight Engineer, Spaceflight Participant
Common Questions
Who was the first woman in space?
Valentina Tereshkova (USSR) aboard Vostok 6 in June 1963.
Has a woman walked on the Moon?
Not yet. NASA’s Artemis program aims to land a woman on the Moon as part of sustainable lunar exploration.
How many women have flown in space?
More than 80 women from over 20 countries have flown in space across orbital and suborbital programs, according to publicly maintained mission logs and agency records.
What is the longest single spaceflight by a woman?
Christina Koch holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman at approximately 328 days aboard the ISS during Expedition 59/60/61.
Are commercial crew programs including women?
Yes. Commercial crew vehicles have included women astronauts as crew members, and private spaceflight programs have selected women as mission specialists and participants where applicable.