Eileen Collins Biography

The first woman to pilot and command an American spacecraft astronaut Eileen Collins has led an inspiring life of adventure leadership and achievement. Recognized as one of America’s most admired women she is now sharing her experiences as a test pilot astronaut and space flight commander with audiences around the world.
In July 2005 Collins commanded Space Shuttle Discovery’s historic “Return to Flight” mission. This was NASA’s first manned flight following the February 2003 loss of the Shuttle Columbia.
Collins dreamed of becoming a pilot during her childhood in Elmira New York. Her parents nurtured her dream often taking her to Elmira’s “soaring field” to watch gliders take flight. She read every book she could on aviation and when she got her first job at 16 she started saving up money for flying lessons. “I had saved up $1000 and I took that to my local airport at age 19” she said. “I asked them to teach me how to fly.”
Her family lacked the funds to send her away to college so Collins earned an associate’s degree in mathematics and science at Corning Community College and then earned a scholarship to Syracuse University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and economics.

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