SAN DIEGO -- Sally Ride, the first American woman to fly in space, died today after a battle with pancreatic cancer, according to Sally Ride Science. She was 61.

Sally Ride Science, in its obituary released to the public, disclosed that the astronaut had a longtime relationship with Tam O'Shaugnessy, the company's COO and executive vice president. Ride was 12 years old when the girls became friends.

The company obituary simply noted that Ride was survived by "Tam O'Shaughnessy, her partner of 27 years," her mother, Joyce Ride; her sister Bear Ride; and a niece and a nephew.