Eileen Collins has made history as Nasa's first female space commander, breaking through the glass ceiling and paving the way for future generations of female astronauts. Despite her significant achievements, many people may still not recognize her name. A new feature-length documentary titled Spacewoman chronicles her extraordinary career, aiming to bring her inspiring story to a wider audience. The film highlights her remarkable journey and the obstacles she overcame in a predominantly male-dominated field.
During a recent visit to London's Science Museum, we had the opportunity to meet Collins. She exudes warmth and approachability, yet there is an unmistakable sense of her focus and determination. Reflecting on her childhood, Collins recalls, "I was reading a magazine article on the Gemini astronauts. I was probably nine years old, and I thought that's the coolest thing. That's what I want to do." At a time when there were no female astronauts, young Collins was resolute: "I just thought, I'll be a lady astronaut." Her aspirations went beyond just being an astronaut; she aimed to take control of a spacecraft.
To realize her dreams, Collins joined the military and became a test pilot. Her exceptional skills led to her selection for the astronaut program, where she was destined to fly Nasa's Space Shuttles, the agency's reusable space planes. When her first mission launched in 1995, she was aware that the world was watching her closely. "As the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle, I worked very hard at that because I didn't want people to say, 'Oh look, the woman has made a mistake'," Collins explains. Her mission was not just to succeed for herself but also to set a positive precedent for women pilots in the future.
In addition to her groundbreaking career, Collins was also a mother to two young children. During press conferences, the media often expressed surprise that she could juggle both roles. However, Collins viewed her dual responsibilities as complementary. "Being a mum and a commander were the two best jobs in the world," she shares with a laugh. "But I'm going to tell you it is harder to be a parent than to be a space shuttle commander." She highlights that her experiences as a parent provided invaluable training for her role as a commander, particularly in making tough decisions.
The history of Nasa's Space Shuttles is marked by both remarkable achievements and tragic failures. In 1986, the Challenger disaster claimed the lives of seven crew members just seconds after launch. Similarly, in 2003, the Columbia disaster resulted in the loss of another seven astronauts when the shuttle disintegrated during re-entry. Collins reflects somberly on these events, remembering the friends she lost. Despite the risks, she felt a deep sense of responsibility to continue the mission as a commander. "People throughout the shuttle program were counting on the commander to stick with it," she states. "I wanted to be a brave leader."
When Collins commanded her mission in 2005, she faced another critical situation when a piece of foam broke away from the shuttle during launch. This time, however, there was a plan in place to assess the damage through one of the most dangerous maneuvers in space history. Collins had to pilot the shuttle through a 360-degree flip beneath the International Space Station, allowing her team to photograph the shuttle’s underside. "There were engineers and managers saying it couldn't be done, but I listened to the discussion, and I said: 'It sounds like we can do it'," she recalls with pride.
Eileen Collins has left an indelible mark on the field of space exploration, inspiring countless individuals not only as a woman but as a skilled pilot and leader. Although she has no regrets about concluding her astronaut career, there is a spark of longing when asked if she would return to space. "Yes, I would love to go on a mission someday. When I'm an old lady, maybe I'll get a chance to go back in space," she muses, leaving us with a glimpse of her enduring passion for exploration.
