"Documentary director redefines astronaut Eileen Collins as the 'Spacewoman'" by @Spacecom - Documentary about USAF Colonel Eileen Collins, test pilot instructor who became the first female Space Shuttle pilot and commander. She remains a historical figure to point to when encouraging girls and women they can learn to fly too. https://www.space.com/spacewoman-documentary-astronaut-eileen-collins-director-interview#NASA #space #aviation #pilot #avgeek #history

When I worked for XCOR Aerospace in Mojave, we heard a story from co-worker Rick Searfoss who was a former NASA Space Shuttle commander. He knew Eileen Collins when they were test pilot instructors at Edwards AFB. Both applied to the NASA astronaut program. After he was selected, he said he called Eileen, understanding history would be made if she was selected too. She had to ask him to keep quiet until the White House made the announcement.😀 #NASA #space #aviation #pilot #avgeek #history

Among Collins' claims to #NASA #space fame...
She commanded STS-93 Columbia. Chandra X-Ray Telescope was heaviest payload launched by a shuttle.
She commanded STS-114 Discovery, the "Return to Flight" mission of modified shuttle after 2003 Columbia accident. No gimmick having female commander - she was next in line to fly. On 114 she was first to fly the backflip maneuver for ISS to photograph/inspect incoming shuttles for launch damage. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rendezvous_pitch_maneuver #aviation #pilot #avgeek #history