07/28/2025
In 1962, astronaut John Glenn refused to fly until one specific person checked the math from the new electronic computers. 🚀
That person was Katherine Johnson, a brilliant mathematician at NASA known as a "human computer."
Before trusting the machine, Glenn famously said, "Get the girl to check the numbers... If she says they're good, I'm ready to go."
At a time when the country was still divided by segregation, Johnson and her colleagues in the West Area Computing unit provided the calculations that were absolutely essential for America's success in space.
She calculated the trajectory for Alan Shepard's first space flight in 1961, the launch window for the 1961 Mercury mission, and Glenn's orbital path.
Her work didn't stop there. Johnson's calculations were also critical for the Apollo Moon landing, helping to sync the lunar lander with the orbiting command module.
Her incredible mind and dedication were a fundamental part of some of our nation's greatest achievements in space exploration. 🇺🇸
In 2015, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her pioneering work that opened doors for so many and pushed America forward.
Sources: NASA historical records, Presidential Medal of Freedom citations
