![]() ![]() Human mathematicians at the time were often called computers and NACA's female mathematicians were often ignominiously referred to as “the computers who wore skirts.” Even though they were paid less than their male counterparts, the thinking was that women had a natural attention to detail that made them ideal for the meticulous work of trajectory calculations. Her work calculating trajectories was crucial to the success of Apollo 11 as well as other several historic space missions.īorn in West Virginia in 1918, Johnson first joined the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in 1953, where she became a member of the West Area Computers, a group of African-American women tasked with performing the tedious calculations for guidance and navigation systems. Katherine Johnson, one of the key mathematicians behind America's space program, and a prominent figure in black American history, died Monday at the age of 101. With an eye always on innovation, inclusion and progress, the NASA IV&V Program remembers Johnson and her legacy while celebrating Women’s Equality Day.Katherine Johnson at her desk at NASA in 1966. Women’s Equality Day is a time to recognize strides women have made in the United States and beyond, and continue fighting against those obstacles and others. Those are barriers that Johnson certainly did face, and many women still face today in varying ways. I wonder what she might have achieved without those barriers.” “She was a genius in spite of racism and sexism. “I admire Johnson’s commitment to excellence and the ability to compute the trajectory for Alan Shepard’s first space flight,” she said. And one only has to look at the work of Johnson to know that it can be done. Today, NASA is an organization that provides spaces and support for women in STEM fields and doesn’t turn a blind eye to the fact that there is still work to be done, according to Exploration Ground Systems (EGS) IV&V Senior Systems Analyst Nelva Cary. “The fact that she was a mother, wife and friend who was involved in her church and community also resonates with me letting me know that other parts of life do not have to be sacrificed in doing great work for your employer.” “Katherine Johnson’s life was multifaceted. #Katherine johnson nasa missions software#Her inspiration goes beyond work for NASA and STEM for many, according to Jotwyla Moore of the IV&V Software Assurance Tools Team. “These things were noticed and made her highly regarded by others – regardless of her gender or race.” Her determination, perseverance, and excellent work proved her worth,” she said. ![]() “Johnson wanted her results to prove her worth, and they certainly did! She did not focus on her challenges or the ways she may have been treated. Johnson’s extraordinary abilities and dedication to doing the highest quality work for major NASA missions stands out to many, including Space Launch System ( SLS) IV&V Project Manager Joelle Spagnuolo-Loretta. Trailblazer, contribution, extraordinary and perseverance are just a few words some of the IV&V Program’s female employees used to describe their thoughts on Johnson. Many women from diverse backgrounds are currently part of that program and look to Johnson’s life and achievements in the work they do. #Katherine johnson nasa missions verification#Today, NASA’s Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility bears her name and legacy housing a program that assures NASA’s safety and mission critical systems and software will operate reliably, safely and securely. ![]() ![]() West Virginia native and NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson would turn 103 this year on the same day as Women’s Equality Day, and many of those working at her namesake facility in Fairmont see a fitting connection. During her years at NASA, Johnson made many critical technical contributions to NASA spaceflight missions, including calculating the trajectory of astronaut Alan Shepard’s historic 1961 flight, when Shepard became the first American to reach space. Born on August 26, 1918, in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, Johnson worked at Langley from 1953 until her retirement in 1986. NASA research mathematician Katherine Johnson is photographed at her desk at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. ![]()
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