Description

A brilliant mathematician and trailblazing NASA scientist, she made groundbreaking contributions to space exploration through her extraordinary computational skills. As part of NASA's team of "human computers," she played a critical role in calculating orbital trajectories for key space missions, including John Glenn's historic orbit around Earth in 1962 and the Apollo 11 mission that landed humans on the Moon. Johnson's precise calculations and innovative problem-solving abilities were pivotal in ensuring the success and safety of these missions. Her work not only advanced the frontiers of space exploration but also broke barriers for women and African Americans in science, earning her widespread recognition as a true pioneer in the fields of mathematics and aerospace technology.