What Happened
Wally Funk, a trailblazing aviator and the oldest woman to travel into space, has died at the age of 87. Funk, who was part of the Mercury 13 program, finally reached space after a wait of 60 years.
Funk was among a group of 13 women who were selected in the early 1960s to undergo astronaut testing as part of a private research program. Despite passing the tests, the women were not allowed to become astronauts because they were female.
Her journey to space finally occurred in 2021 when she flew aboard a Blue Origin rocket, making her the oldest person to travel to space at that time. This fulfilled a dream she had held for six decades.
Key Facts
- 1
Wally Funk, an aviation pioneer, died at the age of 87.
- 2
Funk was the oldest woman to travel into space.
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She finally traveled to space after a 60-year wait.
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Funk was part of the Mercury 13 group.
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She flew on a Blue Origin rocket in 2021.
