Nasa Tribute: Sally Ride, First American Woman in Space Ride, who died Monday at age 61 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, did not dazzle easily By Jeffrey Kluger July 23, 2012 Share Read Later Send to Kindle NASA via APAn undated photo released by NASA shows astronaut Sally Ride. Ride, the first American woman in space, will be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame, hall officials announced Friday, Dec. 15, 2006.