Wally Funk’s Race for Space

In 1961, Wally Funk was among the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to pass the ‘Women in Space’ programme. Wally sailed through a series of rigorous physical and mental tests, with one of her scores beating all the male Mercury 7 astronauts’, including John Glenn’s, the first American in orbit.

But just one week before the final phase of training, the programme was abruptly cancelled. A combination of politics and prejudice meant that none of the women ever flew into space. Undeterred, Wally went on to become America’s first female aviation safety inspector, though her dream of being an astronaut never dimmed.

Wally will be joining host Sue Nelson at the National Space Centre for a special day looking at the Mercury 13 programme and women in space.

Wally Funk’s Race for Space; The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer

Take a seat in LIVE Space to hear about the Mercury 13 programme and Wally’s amazing offbeat odyssey, with host Sue Nelson.

14:30 LIVE Space

Book Signing

We will have copies of Wally Funk’s Race for Space; The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer for sale, which you can get personalised and signed by Wally Funk and Sue Nelson.

• Entry to the LIVE Space talks are free to all day ticket holders
• The book can be purchased on the day from our shop (a receipt will be provided to get your book signed on the day). Please note, Sue and Wally will not be signing any other items on the day.

15:00 LIVE Space