Description

In 1961, Wally Funk was the youngest of thirteen American female pilots in the Woman in Space programme. Her mission was to become one of the first women astronauts. But a combination of politics and prejudice meant the programme was abruptly cancelled. Neither Wally nor the other pilots ever made it into space.

Now approaching eighty, Wally is joined by fellow space enthusiast Sue Nelson as she races to make her giant leap before it’s too late. They travel across the United States and Europe – taking in NASA’s mission control in Houston and Spaceport America in New Mexico, where Wally’s ride into space awaits – meeting with female astronauts and trailblazers along the way. Touching on the Space Race and women’s achievements in aviation, this is the remarkable story of a courageous pioneer who could have been the first woman in space.

Publisher Review

`Extraordinary ... throws fascinating light on the story of female space travel' Daily Mail Book of the Week; `Wally Funk's character leaps off the page ... fantastic and so inspirational.' Naga Munchetty, BBC Breakfast; `A truly inspiring book about friendship, women's place in the history of aviation and space, and the cost of a dream.' BBC Sky at Night *****; `An odyssey of a friendship ... Wally's character shines through. ... As the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings approach, it's sobering to have a reminder of the astronauts who might have been.' New Statesman; `After the success of Hidden Figures, Wally Funk's Race for Space feels immensely important and timely - like the world is finally waking up to women's contributions to science and engineering.' Physics World; `A compelling portrait' Nature