Long before modern computers, Katherine Johnson was doing complex math by hand. Thanks to her, many American space missions succeeded, and she opened the way for women and Afro-American scientists in space.
Katherine Johnson was born in 1918, in West Virginia. From a young age, she showed real talent for math. Her parents and teachers encouraged her a lot, and she was able to take advanced classes as a teenager.
At only 15, she entered university. Her passion for numbers and her quick understanding of complex calculations prepared her for an important role in the history of space exploration.
Photo of Katherine Johnson
In 1953, Katherine joined the NACA, which later became NASA. She was part of a group of Afro-American women called the “Human Computers,” because they did all the calculations by hand.
She quickly stood out for her accuracy and speed. Her coworkers relied on her to check the flight paths of space missions, and her calculations were often key to the success of launches and safe returns to Earth.
Image from the movie, Hidden Figures
A famous moment in her career happened in 1962. John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, asked Katherine to check his trajectory calculations before the launch of his Mercury-Atlas 6 mission.
Glenn trusted her so much that he said: “If Katherine says it’s good, I’m ready to go.” Thanks to her, the mission was a total success and marked a big step for the United States in space exploration.
Katherine Johnson receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom
In 2015, Katherine Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama, one of the highest honors in the United States.
Then, in 2016, the movie Hidden Figures was released, telling part of her incredible story. It finally put her amazing work in the spotlight and gave her the recognition she didn’t get during her career.
Today, Katherine is a true inspiration for young girls and for anyone who loves science. She proved that with hard work and passion, you can achieve great things, even when the world seems against you.