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A woman who was among 13 selected for training as possible astronauts in the early 1960s has died at her northern Michigan home. She was 89.
Bernice Steadman was a member of the so-called "Mercury 13." NASA dropped the program, and it was 22 more years before a U.S. woman went to space.
Robert Steadman says his wife died Wednesday in Traverse City. She had Alzheimer's disease.
Steadman had a pilot's license before a driver's license. She raced planes across the U.S. and taught people how to fly in Flint.
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In later years, her businesses included a clothing store and a taxi company in Traverse City. Steadman joined the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame in 2003.
Quelle: Santa Cruz Sentinel
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Bernice Steadman, one of Nasa's first female trainee astronauts, dies aged 89
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Bernice Steadman (far right) was one of the first women Nasa trained for space. Credit: Nasa
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One of the first women Nasa ever trained as potential astronauts has died in the US aged 89, the Associated Press has reported.
Bernice Steadman was a member of the so-called "Mercury 13" - a grueling training programme in the early 1960's designed to put potential female astronauts through their paces.
The programme was eventually dropped and it would be a further 22 years before an American woman ventured into space.
Mrs Steadman's death was announced by her husband, Robert. She had Alzheimer's disease.
She had a pilot's license before she could drive, it is reported. In her youth she raced aircraft across the US and was a flying instructor.
Quelle: itv
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