A documentary about Col. Eileen Collins, the first woman to pilot and command a Space Shuttle, will screen in Melbourne on Monday. The film, 'Spacewoman,' based on Collins' 2020 book 'Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars,' will be shown at Premiere Theaters Oaks 10 at 7 p.m. April 13. The event will include a live Q&A with Collins, who also commanded the first flight after the Columbia tragedy in 2003.
Collins, who made history in 1995 as the first female shuttle pilot and again in 1999 as the first female commander, has shared her story through her book and now the documentary. The film's director, Hannah Berryman, said Collins' journey was unexpected. 'She had various challenges in her life, and then she was part of these jeopardous missions,' Berryman said. 'She did the actual kind of Top Gun role in space.'
The documentary's producer, Keith Haviland, said Collins hesitated to put her life on screen but agreed after ensuring her family approved. Collins' parents, who raised four children while facing hardships, are highlighted in the book. 'They didn’t give up,' Collins said in the film.
The screening is part of a nationwide tour for 'Spacewoman,' which has been shown globally since its release. Tickets for the Melbourne event are available online. The film and book offer a firsthand account of Collins' career at NASA during the Space Shuttle era, including her role in breaking barriers for women in the space program.