On this day in 1983, Dr. Sally Kristen Ride (1951-) made history by becoming the first American woman in space, orbiting Earth for six days aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. As a mission specialist, she launched communications and test satellites.

Upon her return, she said, "The thing I'll remember most about the flight is that it was fun. In fact, I'm sure it was the most fun that I'll ever have in my life."

A gifted athlete from Los Angeles, California, she gave up a career as a tennis player to join NASA's astronaut training program and chase after stars.

"In high school, I had two teachers who spent a lot of time with me. But more than that, they encouraged me and gave me confidence," Ride explained.

Ride received her doctorate in physics from Stanford University and was selected in 1978 from 8,000 applicants. Ride learned to fly a jet and participated in the design of the remote mechanical manipulator arm to deploy and retrieve satellites. She went on to log 350 hours of space flight.

"All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary," she said.

In 2000, she founded Imaginary Lines Inc. which provides programs to help motivate and support girls in math, science, and technology. She hopes to make a difference and connect girls with life-changing, collabortive resources.

"In twenty or so years from now, I may call NASA to see if they'll give me a rocket trip to Mars," said Ride, who continues to light the light to help others reach for the stars.

Stars glimmer with magical promise.