Katherine E. Johnson

Katherine E. Johnson was an accomplished African American mathematician who made significant contributions to NASA’s space missions. Her complex calculations of trajectories, launch windows, and orbits were crucial in planning safe spaceflights, including John Glenn’s historic orbital flight in 1962. Despite facing racial and gender barriers, her expertise earned her recognition and respect within NASA. Johnson’s work helped revolutionize space navigation and demonstrated the vital role of mathematics in exploration. Her story highlights the importance of diversity and perseverance in scientific advancements.