Space exploration has developed from early, unmanned space probes through the pioneering years of the 'Manned' Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, to missions that now include women in the crew as a matter of course. Dave Shayler tells the story of the first woman balloonist in 1784 to their breakthrough as astronauts and cosmonauts in a range of professional roles. He covers the contribution women have made to space exploration and draws on interviews with Shuttle and Mir crew members who were women. These interviews detail the achievements of the first female Shuttle commander and the first female resident crew member of the International Space Station. These and many other events are presented in a detailed and highly readable account that recalls the difficult path to space exploration by women.

Zusammenfassung

Until now, the achievements of women in space have been neglected in the space enthusiast book market. Dave Shayler presents a story of the four decades of female space exploration and provides a direct comparison between the training and participation by women in the Western and Soviet/Russian space programmes.

Inhalt
Into the wide blue yonder.- A seagull in orbit.- The Right Stuff, the wrong sex.- The rocket-plane and the Space Shuttle.- Shuttlenauts.- Sally and Svetlana.- Shuttle specialists and passengers.- Stations in space.- Earth orbit and beyond.- Conclusion.