It is with sadness that we report the death of Sally Ride, the first United States female astronaut. President Obama’s statement on her death states:

The White House

Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
July 23, 2012
Statement by the President on the Passing of Sally Ride

Michelle and I were deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Sally Ride. As the first American woman to travel into space, Sally was a national hero and a powerful role model. She inspired generations of young girls to reach for the stars and later fought tirelessly to help them get there by advocating for a greater focus on science and math in our schools. Sally’s life showed us that there are no limits to what we can achieve and I have no doubt that her legacy will endure for years to come. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Sally’s family and friends.

There a many tributes around the Internet. These are just a few:

NASA Offers Condolences on the Passing of Pioneering Astronaut Sally Ride – NASA
Sally Ride, 1st US Woman in Space, Has Died – Huntsville Space Professionals
Sally Ride’s Legacy: 1st Female Space Shuttle Commanders Speak Out – Space.com
In memoriam: ‘Ride, Sally, Ride’ – Cosmic Log
Remembering Sally Ride: President Obama Salutes an American Hero – White House Blog
On a sadder note: First US Female astronaut Dr Sally Ride passes away – Hyperbola