the experiences of women astronauts, the challenges they've faced, their distinctive stories

Wed, 08/19/2026 - 9:00am

Event Date

Wednesday, September 02, 2026 - 06:00 pm

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Seen on the flight deck of the space shuttle Challenger, astronaut Sally K. Ride, STS-7 mission specialist, became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983. (Photo credit: NASA)

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir (left) and Christina Koch are inside the Quest airlock preparing the U.S. spacesuits and tools they will use on their first spacewalk together. (Photo credit: NASA)

Seen on the flight deck of the space shuttle Challenger, astronaut Sally K. Ride, STS-7 mission specialist, became the first American woman in space on June 18, 1983. (Photo credit: NASA)

NASA astronauts Jessica Meir (left) and Christina Koch are inside the Quest airlock preparing the U.S. spacesuits and tools they will use on their first spacewalk together. (Photo credit: NASA)

Valerie Neal, emerita curator in the Department of Space History at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, will present her new book on Wednesday, Sept. 2, at 6 p.m., at the Rockport Public Library. On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of US Women Astronauts spans 45 years and 61 astronauts to share the epic journeys of women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field.

Neal’s talk will provide a culturally insightful history of the experiences of women astronauts, the challenges they've faced, and their distinctive stories. According to a RPL news release, Neal's studies offer a sweeping look at the earliest women astronauts to Christina Hammock Koch, assigned to the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon in 2026.

The program, sponsored by the Rockport Library Foundation, is free and open to the public. Seating will be limited to 75 people, first come, first served.

Books will be available for purchase and signing following the presentation.

More information at rockportlibray.net.