Aviation and Space Pioneer Wally Funk Passes Away at 82
Wally Funk, a pioneering female aviator and astronaut who broke barriers throughout her career in aviation and space exploration, has died at age 82.
Funk was a member of the Mercury 13 program, a group of women pilots who underwent the same physiological and psychological testing as NASA's Mercury astronauts in the early 1960s, though the program was ultimately cancelled and none of the women flew in space at that time. Despite this setback, Funk continued her career in aviation, accumulating thousands of flight hours and working as a flight instructor.
Her journey to space finally came true in December 2021 when she flew aboard Blue Origin's NS-19 mission alongside Jeff Bezos and five others. At 82 years old, Funk became one of the oldest people to travel to space, fulfilling a dream she had held for nearly six decades.
Throughout her career, Funk accumulated more than 19,000 flight hours and held numerous aviation records. She was a role model for women in aviation and space, demonstrating that determination and skill could overcome the barriers facing women in traditionally male fields.
Her legacy includes inspiring generations of women pursuing careers in aviation, aerospace, and science. Funk's achievement in reaching space at her age served as a powerful reminder that the barriers of age and gender can be overcome with persistence and dedication to one's goals.