Katherine Johnson
Katherine Johnson was an American mathematician who played a crucial role in calculating and analyzing spacecraft flight paths, contributing to the success of the U.S. space program and the Moon landing.
Mathematician
August 26, 1918
Virgo
February 24, 2020
101
West Virginia
Katherine Johnson, a notable American mathematician, significantly contributed to the U.S. space program by calculating and examining flight paths for various spacecraft over her 30-year career. Her vital work was essential in successfully sending astronauts to the Moon. In 2015, Johnson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and she authored or coauthored 26 scientific papers, including a foundational piece on modern satellite communication. Among her other accolades were the NASA Langley Research Center Special Achievement Award and the Apollo Group Achievement Award. Johnson passed away on February 24, 2020, at 101 years old.