This story appeared in the March 8, 2017 issue of Level Up by Forbes newsletter. SubscribeScience Source/Photo Researchers, Inc.Twenty years before Sally Ride launched into orbit, Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to venture into space. RoskosmosOn June 16, 1963 Tereshkova began her three-day voyage piloting the Vostok 6 48 orbits around earth. Launching at 26, she still holds a record as the youngest female astronaut/cosmonaut. NASA / Mike FossumIn 2013, she said she'd lead a one-way trip to Mars if the opportunity arose.

Source: Forbes March 08, 2017 18:44 UTC