In 1973, NASA began a new program for testing women to see if they could stand up to the physical and psychological stress of space flight. Apparently, they had misfiled the data from the earlier tests of the Mercury 13 women. Or perhaps they believed that this new generation of women held some sort of mutant gene or ³X² factor not previously held by the women of the 1960ıs. By 1977, civilian women from all walks of life and ranging in ages from 25 to 65 volunteered to be poked and probed, chilled and heated, confined and cajoled as test subjects. The results confirmed what the scientists in the earlier decade had discovered: women could endure the same physical hardships as men and often had better psychological profiles.
During the testing, the women volunteers did something the men did not do. To endure the boredom and trauma of the tests, the women had formed a tightly knit support group. NASA realized the importance of this discovery. Zero-gravity was a serious equalizer of men and women, and physical strength was not that important. What was important in space flight is that groups of people depend upon each other and work together as a team. The lone ³macho jet jock² was out and teamwork was the way to go. Dr. Harold Sandler, chief of NASAıs Ames Biomedical Research Division predicted, ³In space women are going to beat men.²
In 1975, there was speculation that women may be more predisposed to altitude decompression sickness and may not respond as rapidly to treatment as men. This belief completely ignored the fact that the WASPs (Women Airforce Service Pilots of 1942-44) participated in extensive high-altitude flight testing in hyperbaric chambers with no ill effects. It was also the general belief at the start of the space program that women were handicapped due to menstruation and would be off duty for a few days each month, making the regularity of their service undependable. Once again, the conclusion of the medical reports of the WASPs that menstruation is not a handicap to flying or dependable performance was ³forgotten.²
In 1976, some physiological testing had been done in other related areas which indicated that women ³appear equal to men for space flight,² and increasing evidence pointed to the conclusion that women women may be more suitable than men for some missions. As Jackie Auriol, a noted French test pilot, said, ³I donıt know whether it is because I am a woman or whether there is some other physiological reason, but I have the good fortune always to sense an oxygen failure in time. I am warned by a feeling of nausea. With many other pilots, their minds start wandering before they realize whatıs happening to them.²
In addition, there were indications that women may have greater endurance and more stamina than their male colleagues. Physical strength is no longer a major factor in modern aircraft, even in emergency situations. For example, the typical autopilot override mechanism requires only 20-45 pounds of force.
Despite these overwhelming results in favor of women astronauts, America would have to wait until 1983 for Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to be sent into space.