#famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard

[aiiaiiiyo]

[nasa]

Mathematician. Leader. Heroine. Remembering Hidden Figure Katherine Johnson

Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer. 

We're saddened by the passing of celebrated #HiddenFigures mathematician Katherine Johnson. She passed away at 101 years old. 

An America hero, Johnson's legacy of excellence broke down racial and social barriers while helping get our space agency off the ground.

Once a "human computer", she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space.

And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math.

As a girl, Katherine Johnson counted everything. As a mathematician, her calculations proved critical to our early successes in space travel.

With slide rules and pencils, Katherine Johnson’s brilliant mind helped launch our nation into space. No longer a Hidden Figure, her bravery and commitment to excellence leaves an eternal legacy for us all.

"We will always have STEM with us. Some things will drop out of the public eye and will go away, but there will always be science, engineering and technology. And there will always, always be mathematics." - Katherine Johnson 1918 -2020 

May she rest in peace, and may her powerful legacy inspire generations to come! What does Katherine Johnson’s legacy mean to you? Share in the comments. 

Make sure to follow us on Tumblr for your regular dose of space: http://nasa.tumblr.com 

[sciencenewsforstudents]

An inspirational “Hidden Figure” and a key player in sending the first humans to the moon, mathematician Katherine Johnson died February 24 at the age of 101.

Born in West Virginia in 1918, her aptitude for math was evident at an early age. In 1953, she took a job at NASA’s predecessor NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, at Langley Research Center in Hampton, Va. There, she joined a group of other African-American women known as “computers” who performed calculations for the space program before electronic computers went mainstream.

During the Space Race era, Johnson performed essential calculations of flight trajectories, including the 1961 flight of the first American in space, Alan Shepard. Famously, at the personal request of astronaut John Glenn, she checked by hand the calculations for his 1962 orbit of Earth, although NASA had begun using electronic computers by then. “If she says they’re good,’” Glenn reportedly said, “then I’m ready to go.”

Unlike the astronauts whose flight paths she calculated, Johnson worked in relative obscurity.  But that changed after a 2016 book and film, both titled Hidden Figures, profiled Johnson and other black women at NASA (SN: 12/23/16). Almost overnight, Johnson became a household name and a celebrated figure of science. Johnson received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, had NASA buildings named after her and even had a LEGO figure created in her likeness.

[melissajoanhart]

Thank you Ms. Johnson for being a hero behind the scenes and a role model for women past, present and future! Rest Well! #repost @nasa ・・・ Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer. We're saddened by the passing of celebrated mathematician Katherine Johnson. Her spirit and determination helped lead us into a new era in space exploration, and for that we are grateful. Once a "human computer", she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math. Her calculations proved as critical to the success of the Apollo Moon landing program and the start of the Space Shuttle program, as they did to those first steps on the country's journey into space. We celebrate her 101 years of life and honor her legacy of excellence that broke down racial and social barriers. What does Katherine Johnson’s legacy mean to you? Share in the comments. #KatherineJohnson #HiddenFigures #trailblazer #rip https://www.instagram.com/p/B8_rIqrpgch/?igshid=c1smapytyb8g

[ecofeminismobolivia]

Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer. We're saddened by the passing of celebrated mathematician Katherine Johnson. Her spirit and determination helped lead us into a new era in space exploration, and for that we are grateful. Once a "human computer", she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math. Her calculations proved as critical to the success of the Apollo Moon landing program and the start of the Space Shuttle program, as they did to those first steps on the country's journey into space. We celebrate her 101 years of life and honor her legacy of excellence that broke down racial and social barriers. What does Katherine Johnson’s legacy mean to you? Share in the comments. #KatherineJohnson #HiddenFigures #trailblazer #rip https://www.instagram.com/p/B8-BVFxpcRF/?igshid=gag6nz7iaydb

[dj4jg]

#Repost @nasa ・・・ “Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer. We're saddened by the passing of celebrated mathematician Katherine Johnson. Her spirit and determination helped lead us into a new era in space exploration, and for that we are grateful. Once a "human computer", she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math. Her calculations proved as critical to the success of the Apollo Moon landing program and the start of the Space Shuttle program, as they did to those first steps on the country's journey into space. We celebrate her 101 years of life and honor her legacy of excellence that broke down racial and social barriers.” #KatherineJohnson #HiddenFigures #trailblazer #rip https://www.instagram.com/p/B9BMp0TF2c4/?igshid=qlju3i1ua450

[thatambivertdude]

Reposted from @nasa Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer. We're saddened by the passing of celebrated mathematician Katherine Johnson. Her spirit and determination helped lead us into a new era in space exploration, and for that we are grateful. Once a "human computer", she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math. Her calculations proved as critical to the success of the Apollo Moon landing program and the start of the Space Shuttle program, as they did to those first steps on the country's journey into space. We celebrate her 101 years of life and honor her legacy of excellence that broke down racial and social barriers. What does Katherine Johnson’s legacy mean to you? Share in the comments. #KatherineJohnson #HiddenFigures #trailblazer #rip - #regrann https://www.instagram.com/p/B89n1nOFvyN/?igshid=kk1nwtb1dj24

[cochranfirmcle]

@nasa Tonight, count the stars and remember a trailblazer. We're saddened by the passing of celebrated mathematician Katherine Johnson. Her spirit and determination helped lead us into a new era in space exploration, and for that we are grateful. Once a "human computer", she famously calculated the flight trajectory for Alan Shepard, the first American in space. And when we began to use electronic computers for calculations, astronaut John Glenn said that he’d trust the computers only after Johnson personally checked the math. Her calculations proved as critical to the success of the Apollo Moon landing program and the start of the Space Shuttle program, as they did to those first steps on the country's journey into space. We celebrate her 101 years of life and honor her legacy of excellence that broke down racial and social barriers. What does Katherine Johnson’s legacy mean to you? Share in the comments. #KatherineJohnson #HiddenFigures #trailblazer #rip #thecochranfirm https://www.instagram.com/p/B89dwtch54w/?igshid=1y00mlv38ob79