The first female astronaut to command a space shuttle mission was Eileen Collins. She made history on July 23, 1999, when she commanded the STS-93 mission, which launched the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Collins, a veteran NASA astronaut and test pilot, played a pivotal role in breaking gender barriers in the field of space exploration. Her early career in engineering and as a military pilot paved the way for her leadership role in the space program. Collins’ achievements continue to inspire women and girls worldwide to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).