Katherine Johnson

Description: (Mathematician and One of the First African-American Women to Work as a NASA Scientist)

Katherine Coleman Goble Johnson is an American mathematician who is known for her contributions to the U.S. space program. Her calculations and analysis have helped astronauts go to the Moon and chart many flight paths. She worked for NASA for over three decades, during which her pioneering calculations helped establish the organization’s credibility. As a child, Johnson’s acumen was apparent as she was great with numbers. She graduated with the highest honors and earned a degree in mathematics. She began working for NACA, NASA’s predecessor, and worked with other women in the West Computers division. She analyzed test data and provided mathematical derivations necessary for the space program. She was involved in NASA’s Mercury program, calculated the course of Freedom 7, and calculated and analyzed the launch of Apollo 11. Toward the end of her career, she worked for the space shuttle program. She received several prestigious awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her extraordinary career not only flouted gender and race stereotypes, it also helped America reach some of its greatest landmarks in space. Johnson retired from NASA in 1986. Her life served as an inspiration for the book, ‘Hidden Figures’, which was later turned into a movie.

Overview

Birthday August 26, 1918 (Virgo)
Born In United States
Alternative names Creola Katherine Coleman
Died on February 24, 2020
Spouse/Ex- Colonel James A. Johnson, James Francis Goble (m. 1939–1956)
Parents Joshua Coleman
Joylette, Joylette Roberta
Children Constance Goble, Joylette Goble, Katherine Goble

Did you know

What contributions did Katherine Johnson make to NASA? Katherine Johnson made significant contributions to NASA's space missions by calculating trajectories, launch windows, and emergency return paths for astronauts.
What challenges did Katherine Johnson face as an African American woman working at NASA? Katherine Johnson faced challenges of racial segregation and gender discrimination while working at NASA, but she overcame them with her exceptional skills and determination.
How did Katherine Johnson's calculations impact the success of the Apollo moon landing missions? Katherine Johnson's precise calculations played a crucial role in the success of the Apollo moon landing missions by ensuring the astronauts' safe journey to and from the moon.
What is the significance of Katherine Johnson's work in the field of mathematics and science? Katherine Johnson's work is significant because she broke barriers for women and African Americans in mathematics and science, inspiring future generations to pursue STEM fields.
How did Katherine Johnson's work at NASA contribute to advancements in space exploration? Katherine Johnson's work at NASA contributed to advancements in space exploration by providing accurate calculations that were essential for successful space missions, including the Mercury and Apollo programs.
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