In 1961, thirteen courageous young women trained to be America's first women astronauts. They scored better on physical tests than the men of Mercury 7. Then, without warning, their program was scrubbed. Join Eileen Collins, the first woman commander of a Space Shuttle, for stories of these remarkable pioneers and those of other women struggling in the ultimate "Man's World" of NASA in the 60s and 70s.

Told in the first person, these stories explore the experiences of NASA’s first woman engineers, scientists and astronauts. Jane Hart, Wally Funk, Jerri Truhill and Gene Nora Jessen share the story of the first women applicants to be astronauts. Engineers Ann Merwarth and Jo Ann Morgan talk about the early days when women were not allowed to go to engineering colleges and how they succeeded despite the barriers. Scientists Carolyn Huntoon and Nancy Grace Roman discuss their path breaking research. Historian Margaret Weitekamp of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum ties their stories to those of modern day women astronauts. We hear from Mae Jemison, Rhea Seddon and Kathryn Sullivan as well as Collins herself as they share the excitement of their research into space.

Rocket Girls and Astro-nettes is part of a Soundprint and rlproductions mini-series called Out of This World, which is supported by the National Science Foundation.