Mary Cleave, an astronaut who witnessed the alarming changes in the Earth’s environment during her space shuttle missions in the 1980s, passed away on November 27 at the age of 76. Her nephew, Howard Carter, confirmed that she died from a stroke. Dr. Cleave, an environmental engineer, first flew aboard the Atlantis in 1985, where she operated the robotic arm during spacewalks. She later joined a mission in 1989 that sent the Magellan robotic space probe to Venus to map its surface. The sights she witnessed from space deeply impacted her perception of the world.
Dr. Cleave expressed her concerns about the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest and other changes she observed during her time in space. She retired as an astronaut in 1991 and began working at the Goddard Space Flight Center, managing a $43-million project focused on collecting ocean data to study the impact of global warming. She emphasized the importance of phytoplankton, which convert carbon dioxide and play a crucial role in the marine food chain.
Throughout her career, Dr. Cleave remained passionate about studying the Earth’s environment and finding solutions to its problems. She believed in the significance of lower plants and their contribution to the world. Dr. Cleave’s interest in space exploration began when she saw an advertisement from NASA seeking scientists and engineers for the shuttle program. She joined the program in 1980 and participated in various missions, including the Challenger flight in 1983, where Sally Ride became the first American woman in space.
After retiring from NASA, Dr. Cleave continued her work in Washington, D.C., overseeing research and scientific programs as the associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. She was known for her passion, dedication, and commitment to protecting the planet. Dr. Cleave is survived by her sisters, Bobbie Cleave and Gertrude Carter.
Dr. Cleave’s observations from space and her subsequent work in climate research highlight the urgent need to address environmental issues and protect the Earth.