Wally Funk, last of Mercury 13 and oldest woman in space, dies at 87
"I have been waiting a long time to finally get up there..."
"I have been waiting a long time to finally get up there..." This report comes from Ars Technica. The story centres on Wally Funk, last of Mercury 13
Read Full Story at Ars Technica →Why This Matters
The passing of Wally Funk marks not just the loss of a pioneering aviator but a symbolic closing of a chapter in space history where talent was systematically undervalued. Her decades-long wait to reach space—despite outperforming male counterparts in NASA’s Mercury 13 program—highlights the enduring gap between aspiration and opportunity for women in STEM fields, even as commercial spaceflight finally catches up to her dreams.
Background Context
Funk’s story is rooted in the Cold War-era gender biases that kept the Mercury 13, a group of 13 women who passed the same rigorous astronaut tests as the male Mercury 7, from ever flying. While NASA’s exclusionary policies barred them from space, Funk’s persistence—from training in secret to later becoming the first female FAA inspector—laid groundwork for later generations of women in aerospace, long before Blue Origin’s New Shepard carried her past the Kármán line at 82.
What Happens Next
Funk’s death may reignite conversations about historical recognition for women in space exploration, particularly as private companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX continue normalizing civilian flights. The absence of a living Mercury 13 figure could also shift focus to archival advocacy, ensuring her legacy isn’t overshadowed by newer commercial space narratives—while questioning whether systemic barriers for women in STEM have truly eroded.
Bigger Picture
Funk’s life reflects a broader tension between technological progress and societal inertia, where breakthroughs in rocket science outpace equity in fields like aviation and spaceflight. Her story foreshadows a future where commercial space tourism becomes commonplace, yet the question lingers: how many Wally Funks were sidelined before their moment arrived?
