Joan reflected that after two years together, her relationship with Vanessa had shifted from the intensity of new love to a calm safety that felt enduring. The lack of novelty did not worry Joan; she saw it as evidence of deeper commitment beyond conventional romance.

In June, two nights before STS-7, Joan and Vanessa met Donna, Lydia, Griff, and Hank at a bar. With assignments taking some of them to Edwards and others to Cape Canaveral, they enjoyed the idle window before launch while Vanessa and Griff bantered about the best space song. Hank nominated “Rocket Man,” Donna mentioned “Space Baby,” and Joan shared being moved by Sesame Street’s “I Don’t Want to Live on the Moon,” prompting teasing from Vanessa and Griff.

Lydia interrupted the playful debate to voice the stakes of Sally Ride’s upcoming flight. She warned that any misstep would be blamed on Sally’s gender, shrinking opportunities for women and narrowing girls’ imaginations nationwide. The group fell quiet as Lydia emphasized the potential backlash and responsibility they all bore.

Vanessa briefly took Lydia’s hand in solidarity before Lydia lightened the mood by joking about jelly beans going to space. The moment underscored both the tension and camaraderie among the astronauts and friends.

Two days later, STS-7 launched cleanly. Six days after, Joan squeezed into Mission Control’s theater to watch the shuttle land safely at Edwards. That evening, back with Vanessa, neither spoke it aloud, but both understood that Sally’s success meant women could credibly expect assignments; their time might be near.