Wally Funk, the trailblazing aviator and Mercury 13 member who shattered gender barriers in aviation and spaceflight, has died at age 87. Her remarkable career spanned eight decades, from becoming the US military's first female flight instructor to serving as the FAA's first female flight inspector. Funk's story is one of resilience, skill, and unfulfilled dreams that inspired generations.
Early Aviation Career and Achievements
Born in 1939, Funk earned her pilot's license as a teenager and quickly rose through the ranks. At just 20, she became the first female flight instructor for the US military, a groundbreaking role at a time when women were largely excluded from aviation. In 1971, she made history again as the FAA's first female flight inspector, and three years later, she became the first woman instructor for the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB).
Her memoir, Higher, Faster, Longer (2020), co-written with Loretta Hall, captures her lifelong passion: “Aviation has been my whole life; I eat and breathe it.” This dedication fueled her relentless pursuit of spaceflight.
The Mercury 13 and NASA's Rejection
In 1960, Funk discovered that pilot Jerrie Cobb had been tested for spaceflight. Despite being below the age requirement, she joined the program that became the Mercury 13—a group of women who underwent the same rigorous training as the seven male Mercury astronauts. Funk tested top of the group, enduring 10 hours 35 minutes in an isolation tank and three feet of rubber tubing shoved down her throat. She requested four times to be selected, but NASA refused, citing a requirement for USAF pilots, who were exclusively male.
Even after Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963, NASA's policies remained unchanged. Funk had out-tested Mercury astronaut John Glenn, who told Congress in 1962, “The men go off and fight the wars and fly the airplanes… The fact that women are not in this field is a fact of our social order.”
Comparison: Mercury 13 vs. Mercury 7 Astronauts
| Category | Mercury 13 (Women) | Mercury 7 (Men) |
|---|---|---|
| Number of Participants | 13 | 7 |
| Training Rigor | Identical physical and psychological tests | Same tests |
| Isolation Tank Record | Funk: 10 hours 35 minutes | Glenn: 3 hours 45 minutes |
| Spaceflight Opportunity | Denied by NASA | All flew missions |
Later Years and Legacy
NASA eventually relented, but too late for Funk. Sally Ride became America's first female astronaut in 1983, and Eileen Collins became the first female pilot/commander of the space shuttle Columbia in 1999. Funk, however, never gave up her dream. In 2021, at age 82, she flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard, becoming the oldest person to go to space—a bittersweet triumph.
Her legacy as a pioneer for women in aviation endures, inspiring young girls to pursue careers in STEM and aerospace.
Key Takeaways
- Wally Funk was a trailblazing aviator and Mercury 13 member.
- She broke barriers as the first female flight instructor, FAA inspector, and NTSB instructor.
- Despite out-testing male astronauts, NASA denied her spaceflight due to gender bias.
- She finally flew to space at age 82 on Blue Origin.
- Her story highlights the fight for gender equality in aerospace.
FAQ
Who was Wally Funk?
Wally Funk was a pioneering aviator and member of the Mercury 13, a group of women who trained for spaceflight in the 1960s. She later flew to space on Blue Origin at age 82.
What was the Mercury 13?
The Mercury 13 were 13 women who underwent the same physical and psychological tests as the male Mercury astronauts, but were denied spaceflight by NASA due to gender discrimination.
Did Wally Funk ever go to space?
Yes, in 2021, at age 82, Wally Funk flew aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard, becoming the oldest person to travel to space.
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