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Wally Funk, who waited six decades to reach space, dies at 87

NPR | By Kathryn Fink,
Janaya Williams
Published July 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM EDT

Pilot Wally Funk has died at 87. Denied the chance to become a NASA astronaut, she finally reached space at age 82 aboard a Blue Origin flight.

Copyright 2026 NPR
Kathryn Fink
Kathryn Fink is a producer with NPR's All Things Considered.
Janaya Williams
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