The history of American women astronauts is the theme during a virtual author discussion Thursday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. presented by Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. She is the author of On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of US Women Astronauts.

Sally Ride became a household name as the first American woman in space, but scores of equally impressive women have also left their mark on space. On a Mission spans 45 years and 61 astronauts to share the epic journeys of women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field.

Neal interviewed many of the U.S. women astronauts to bring their experiences to life.