Breaking Barriers

Last October, two NASA astronauts put on their spacesuits, opened a hatch, and exited the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth. Tethered to the outside of the spacecraft, the pair worked to replace a broken charging unit connected to the batteries that power the station’s lab. The repair was a success, but that wasn’t the only cause for celebration: This spacewalk was also the first ever performed by two women.

This history-making moment for astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir has been a long time coming. Since the 1960s, 565 people have ventured into space—but only 65 have been women. Fifteen of those female spacefarers have participated in a spacewalk, versus more than 200 men. But Koch and Meir’s recent accomplishment is a sign of the strides being made toward gender equality—equal opportunities for men and women—in space exploration. It’s also a precursor to another momentous event NASA hopes to achieve in the next few years: landing the first woman on the moon.

Last October, two NASA astronauts put on their spacesuits and opened a hatch. They left the International Space Station (ISS), which orbits 400 kilometers (250 miles) above Earth. With a line attaching them to the outside of the spacecraft, the pair replaced a broken charging unit. It was connected to the batteries that power the station’s lab. The repair was a success, but that wasn’t the only reason to celebrate. This spacewalk was also the first ever performed by two women.

This moment with astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir made history. And it’s been a long time coming. Since the 1960s, 565 people have traveled into space. But only 65 have been women. Fifteen of those women have taken part in a spacewalk, while more than 200 men have. But Koch and Meir’s recent accomplishment is a good sign. It shows the progress being made in space exploration toward gender equality. That means equal opportunities for men and women. It’s also leading up to another big event. In the next few years, NASA hopes to land the first woman on the moon.

In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American man to fly in space, just a few weeks after male cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin of Russia made the first-ever spaceflight. More than 20 years elapsed between Shepard’s launch and that of the first American woman, astronaut Sally Ride, (see Key Moments: Women in Space).

Some of the disparity in the numbers of men and women in spaceflight can be traced back to decisions made in the earliest days of the U.S. space program. These choices had unintended consequences that lasted decades, says William Barry, NASA’s chief historian. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower decided that the first astronauts would be selected from military test pilots. At the time, they were virtually all white men. “Once that choice was made, it meant that women and minorities were excluded,” Barry says.

In 1961, Alan Shepard became the first American man to fly in space. A few weeks earlier, Yuri Gagarin had made the first-ever spaceflight. He was a male cosmonaut from Russia. More than 20 years passed between Shepard’s flight and that of the first American woman, astronaut Sally Ride (see Key Moments: Women in Space).

Why such a difference in the numbers of men and women in spaceflight? It was partly because of decisions made early in the U.S. space program. These choices had unplanned effects that lasted decades, says William Barry, NASA’s chief historian. In 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower decided that the first astronauts would be chosen from military test pilots. Back then, they were almost all white men. “Once that choice was made, it meant that women and minorities were excluded,” Barry says.

That remained true through the fast-paced Apollo missions to the moon, which flew from 1968 through 1972. But the next rounds of astronaut selection, for the reusable space shuttles, brought more diverse faces to space. Sally Ride made her historic shuttle flight in June 1983. The next launch, two months later, included Guion Bluford. He was the first black American in space. Many other women and people of color followed in the footsteps of these pioneers.

Today, of 38 active NASA astronauts, 12 are women. Opportunities for women in space continue to grow. “There is scientific evidence that diverse workgroups do a better job of solving new and complex problems,” says Barry. “NASA has taken that evidence to heart.” The agency is actively working to enhance its diversity. Koch and Meir, the female spacewalking duo, both hail from NASA’s astronaut class of 2013—the first to have equal numbers of men and women.

That remained true through the Apollo missions to the moon. These fast-paced missions flew from 1968 through 1972. Next, astronauts were chosen for the reusable space shuttles. That brought more diverse faces to space. Sally Ride made her historic shuttle flight in June 1983. The next flight took off two months later. It included Guion Bluford, the first black American in space. Many other women and people of color followed in their footsteps.  

Today, NASA has 38 active astronauts. Twelve are women. Opportunities continue to grow for women in space. “There is scientific evidence that diverse workgroups do a better job of solving new and complex problems,” says Barry. “NASA has taken that evidence to heart.” NASA is actively working to become more diverse. Koch and Meir, the women who did the spacewalk together, both came from NASA’s astronaut class of 2013. It was the first with equal numbers of men and women.

In September, five months after the spacesuit kerfuffle, astronaut Meir arrived at the station—along with a medium suit, prepped and ready to roll. Her flight to the ISS was the culmination of a lifelong dream and years of preparation: Meir has a background in marine biology and space science. She has investigated human physiology and participated in research aboard aircraft experiencing reduced gravity. Koch, already aboard the ISS, trained in physics and electrical engineering. She previously developed instruments for research in cosmology—the study of the universe’s origins—and planetary science. When a component that regulates the flow of energy from the station’s solar panels to its batteries failed in October, Koch and Meir were tasked with replacing it. The spacewalk would be Koch’s fourth and Meir’s first.

Over the course of seven hours, with people around the globe watching via live video feed, the women removed the faulty unit and installed a new one. As they concluded their repair, Koch acknowledged the historic moment: “We recognize that this is a milestone,” she said. “It symbolizes exploration by all that dare to dream and work hard to achieve that dream. It’s a tribute to those that paved the way for us to be where we are and, we hope, an inspiration to all future explorers.”

Five months passed after the spacesuit confusion. In September, astronaut Meir arrived at the station. So did a medium suit, prepared and ready to roll. Her flight to the ISS followed a lifelong dream and years of preparation. Meir has a background in marine biology and space science. She has studied human physiology, and she did research on an aircraft experiencing reduced gravity. Koch was already aboard the ISS. She trained in physics and electrical engineering. Before her flight, she developed instruments for research in planetary science and cosmology. That’s the study of the universe’s origins. In October, a part on the ISS failed. This part controls the flow of energy from the station’s solar panels to its batteries. Koch and Meir were asked to replace it. The spacewalk would be Koch’s fourth and Meir’s first.

The task lasted seven hours. People around the globe watched over a live video feed. The women removed the broken unit and installed a new one. As they finished their repair, Koch acknowledged the historic moment. “We recognize that this is a milestone,” she said. “It symbolizes exploration by all that dare to dream and work hard to achieve that dream. It’s a tribute to those that paved the way for us to be where we are and, we hope, an inspiration to all future explorers.”