Wally Funk, the oldest woman to travel to space, died on November 29, 2023, at the age of 82. Funk made history in 2021 when she flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard with Jeff Bezos, marking a significant milestone in her lifelong passion for aviation and space exploration.
Wally Funk's Historic Spaceflight
In July 2021, Wally Funk became the oldest woman to reach space, flying on a 11-minute mission that took her approximately 66 miles above the Earth’s surface. This flight was a part of the New Shepard program, which was developed by Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Bezos. Funk was one of the first women to undergo astronaut training in the 1960s but had to wait decades for her chance to fly.
Her flight was not just a personal achievement but also a milestone for women in aerospace, as Funk had long been an advocate for women in aviation. She stated, “I’ve wanted to fly into space since I was a little girl, and now I’ve done it.”
A Legacy of Inspiration
Wally Funk’s contributions to aviation and space exploration extend beyond her historic flight. She was a skilled aviator with over 19,600 flight hours and held numerous records in aviation. Her dedication to flying and teaching others about aviation inspired many aspiring pilots, particularly women.
