Disney Animators Used This NASA Astronaut as a Model for Ariel in 'The Little Mermaid'
Sally Ride made history in a way that reshaped NASA and women in STEM. Ride became the first American woman in space when she launched aboard NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger on mission STS-7. At just 32 years old, she also became one of the youngest Americans ever to reach orbit. Her legacy, however, goes far beyond a single flight.
A NASA Trailblazer
Ride joined NASA after earning a Ph.D. in physics from Stanford University. She trained alongside fellow class of 1978 astronauts as one of six women learning spacecraft systems, orbital mechanics and survival training as NASA expanded the Space Shuttle program to include female astronaut candidates.
On June 18, 1983, the STS-7 mission of the Challenger program launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida and made history, establishing Ride as the first American woman in space. As a mission specialist, she launched two communication satellites, operated the shuttle's mechanical arm, and conducted experiments. Later on, she was part of the STS 41-G crew for her second and final trip to space.
The Unexpected Way She Inspired a Disney Princess
Beyond her scientific achievements, Ride also has an unexpected connection to a beloved underwater princess. When animator Glen Keanewas developing Ariel for The Little Mermaid (1989), he mentioned astronaut Sally Ride a source for inspiration. After studying female movement in water, Keane saw TV footage of Ride in space, noting how her hair floated in zero gravity, helping him create the fluid, weightless movement that became one of Ariel's signature features.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/WKcfHUkqD10
The success of The Little Mermaid in 1989 launched Disney into a new renaissance of animated film with blockbusters like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King following in the 1990s.
Related: Read more about groundbreaking female astronauts:
Sally Ride's Historic Contributions
After her time in space and inspiring Disney characters, Sally Ride helped shape space policy and science education. She served on the Presidential Commission investigating the Challenger tragedy, advocating stronger NASA safety procedures and decision-making protocols for future flights.
Ride later became a physics professor at the University of California, San Diego, where she focused on teaching and mentoring students while encouraging more young people to pursue STEM fields. In addition to writing children's books, she founded Sally Ride Science in 2001, which developed programs and classroom resources to make science more accessible and engaging for students.
During her lifetime, Ride kept her personal life private. It wasn't until Ride's death in 2012, when Tam O'Shaughnessy was identified in her obituary, that many people learned about their 27-year relationship, making her not only a pioneer for women in space but also an important figure in LGBTQ representation within STEM and NASA.
Sally Ride's Lasting Legacy
The Disney connection may be fun trivia, but Sally Ride's real impact was far more significant. By breaking barriers in space and championing education on Earth for future scientists, she left behind a legacy that continues to inspire today's astronauts and innovators.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 12:42 AM.