Katherine johnson nasa and family series#

Her calculations were also essential to the beginning of the Space Shuttle program, and she worked on plans for a mission to Mars. She also computed rendezvous paths for the Apollo Lunar Module and command module on flights to the Moon. These include those formulated for astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Johnson’s gifted understanding of numbers allowed her to calculate trajectories, launch windows and emergency return paths for Project Mercury spaceflights. NASA credits her “historical role as one of the first African-American women to work as a NASA scientist.' Additionally, Johnson helped push the use of computers to perform the calculating tasks. Johnson mastered complex calculations, by hand. Johnson's calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first NASA-crewed spaceflight, paving the way for future spaceflights. She accepted a job offer from the agency in 1953. The field was difficult for African Americans and women to enter, but she bravely pursued her dreams regardless of the viewpoints during 1950s America.Ī family member tipped her off that National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA, and later changed to NASA in 1958) was hiring mathematicians and Johnson jumped at the opportunity. Johnson faced many odds when she started to pursue her career as a research mathematician.

Katherine johnson nasa and family series#

Sign up for The Scoop to receive updates from this series right in your inbox.Ĭalculating is truly a science and not everyone can “sum it up” like the brilliant mind that belonged to Katherine Johnson.

From women breaking gender barriers in their fields to women fighting for equal rights, they all embody what Death Wish strives for every day: strength. Series note: For Women's History month, we'll be featuring hardworking women each week who inspire us daily. Celebrating NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who died at 101 on Feb.