- NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal for her space flight
- The Louis Bleriot Award for her role as the first American woman in space
- First woman to be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame
1984
- Jefferson Award for Public Service
- Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement
- Honorary doctorate degrees from several universities, including Yale, Harvard, and Princeton
- California Museum of Science and Industry Hall of Fame
1985
- Spirit of St. Louis Award
- National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program established, with Ride serving as the first chair of its advisory board
1986
- Appointed to the President's Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident
1987
- Women in Science and Technology Hall of Fame
- Lindbergh Award for her contributions to space exploration and technology
1989
- Appointed to the National Science Board
- Named California’s first Teacher-in-Space Project manager
1991
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
1993
- Appointed to the National Commission on Space (the "Ride Commission")
1994
- Inducted into the International Space Hall of Fame
1996
- Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame
- Presented with the Liberty Bell Award
2001
- Inducted into the California Hall of Fame
2003
- Appointed to the President's Commission on Implementation of U.S. Space Exploration Policy
2006
- Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States