Eileen Collins: Pioneering Astronaut and Subject of ‘Spacewoman’ Documentary

Eileen Collins, the first American woman to pilot and command NASA’s Space Shuttle, has a compelling story highlighted in the documentary Spacewoman. At the premiere, she shared her hesitation about sharing her life on screen. However, she believed it was important to share her experiences, especially given her humble beginnings.

Collins grew up in a financially constrained environment in Elmira, New York, dreaming of becoming a pilot. She worked multiple jobs to afford flying lessons and joined the U.S. Air Force in 1978, shortly after women were allowed to become pilots. In 1989, Sally Ride became the first American woman to travel to space. Collins joined NASA a year later.

Collins flew her first mission as a pilot in 1995, marking a historic moment in spaceflight. She commanded the Space Shuttle mission to deploy the Chandra X-Ray Observatory in 1998. This mission held significant meaning as it followed the tragic Columbia disaster, which claimed seven astronauts’ lives. Even with the accident weighing heavily on her, Collins remained resolute about ensuring safety for her crew during their mission.

The documentary explores Collins’ professional and personal life, including her relationship with her daughter. It reflects on the difficulties she faced while balancing her family life and her astronaut career. As she prepared for her missions, Collins remained committed to being present for her family, especially her seven-year-old daughter.

The delayed launch of the Discovery mission in 2005 followed years of safety upgrades. Although they encountered problems with debris during launch, Collins was determined to protect her crew. During the mission, she performed a unique maneuver to inspect the shuttle’s thermal tiles. This careful execution was critical to ensuring a safe return trip.

Collins noted that operating the Space Shuttle required extensive memorization of its manual controls. In contrast, modern spacecraft use automation to assist pilots. While she appreciated the safety these advancements provide, Collins expressed a longing for the thrill of piloting.

Now nearly two decades since her last spaceflight, Collins reminisces about the experience fondly. She misses the sensation of weightlessness and the view of Earth from space, though she humorously laments the lack of pizza up there. Collins reflects on her career with pride and expresses a desire to fly in space again, highlighting the joy she found in her journey.