Cadet Competition Written Practice Exam

Who was the first woman to travel into space?

1. Mae Jemison

2. Valentina Tereshkova

3. Sally Ride

4. Anna Fisher

The correct answer is: Valentina Tereshkova

Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to travel into space, making her historic flight on June 16, 1963 aboard Vostok 6. Her mission lasted nearly three days, during which she orbited the Earth 48 times. Tereshkova's journey was significant not only because she was the first woman in space but also because it demonstrated women's capabilities in a field predominantly occupied by men at the time. Her achievement paved the way for future generations of female astronauts, showcasing the potential for women to take on roles in space exploration. The other names listed are notable figures in space history. Mae Jemison was the first African American woman in space in 1992, Sally Ride was the first American woman in space in 1983, and Anna Fisher was among the first women to fly in space, participating in the STS-51-A mission in 1984. Each of them made significant contributions to space exploration, but it was Tereshkova who holds the title of the first woman to travel into space.