First American woman in space dies of cancer

After a 17-month battle with pancreatic cancer, Sally Ride, the first US female astronaut, died Monday in California. She was 61, reported Xinhua. "Sally lived her life to the fullest, with boundless energy, curiosity, intelligence, passion, commitment and love. Her integrity was absolute; her spirit was immeasurable; her approach to life was fearless," read a statement on the website of Sally Ride Science, a company Ride launched to help teach students -- particularly young women and girls -- about science, math and technology.Ride, who joined US space agency NASA in 1978, became in 1983 the first American woman in space as a crew member on Space Shuttle Challenger.

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