Unsung heroes: NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson has died
NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson, who helped the first American astronaut to successfully orbit the Earth, has died at the age of 101. Katherine worked out the trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. She used no electronic computers.
She also worked on astronaut John Glenn’s orbital mission, checking the numbers for the flight.
Katherine is one of three African American women celebrated in the 2016 movie Hidden Figures, which tells the true story of Katherine, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan, who faced discrimination, racism and segregation but pushed through.
“Johnson helped our nation enlarge the frontiers of space even as she made huge strides that also opened doors for women and people of color. Her dedication and skill as a mathematician helped put humans on the moon and before that made it possible for our astronauts to take the first steps in space that we now follow on a journey to Mars.”
– NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a statement. “
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Posted: 24th, February 2020 | In: News, Technology Comment | TrackBack | Permalink
