March 12, 2013

— NASA recently released this photo, originally taken on Sept. 17, 2012, from a gathering of 22 of its current and former female astronauts and the first female director of Johnson Space Center, who met together in Houston to honor the late Sally Ride and her legacy.

Since Ride made history as the first American woman in space 30 years ago this June, 42 female NASA astronauts have followed her into orbit. Worldwide, a total of 57 women have launched for space, out of the more than 500 people who have become space travelers.

Below, seated (from left): Former Johnson Space Center director Carolyn Huntoon and astronauts Ellen Baker, Mary Cleave, Rhea Seddon, Anna Fisher, Shannon Lucid, Ellen Ochoa and Sandy Magnus. Standing (from left): Jeanette Epps, Mary Ellen Weber, Marsha Ivins, Tracy Dyson, Bonnie Dunbar, Tammy Jernigan, Cady Coleman, Janet Kavandi, Serena Aunon, Kate Rubins, Stephanie Wilson, Dottie Metcalf-Lindenburger, Megan McArthur, Karen Nyberg and Lisa Nowak.