NASA's Hidden Figures: The Unsung Heroes That Made Early Space Missions Possible

During Women's Month, it is essential to celebrate the remarkable contributions of women across industries, such as NASA's hidden figures who were talented women who were often overlooked despite their contributions that propelled early space missions.

These trailblazing women, mathematicians, engineers, and scientists, broke through gender barriers, playing pivotal roles in historical space missions. Their dedication and resilience stand as a testament to the strength and brilliance of women in the pursuit of scientific excellence.

Mary Jackson working at NASA Langley
(Photo : Wikimedia Commons/NASA Langley Research Center)

Untold Contributions of NASA's Human Computers to Early Space Exploration

In the 1960s, America's first male astronauts, including Alan Shepard and John Glenn, achieved acclaim for their space exploits under the Mercury project. However, their success owed much to the often overlooked NASA workers, such as "human computers," responsible for intricate orbital calculations-an untold story brought to light in Margot Lee Shetterly's 2016 book and its film adaptation, "Hidden Figures."

In 1935, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), NASA's precursor, enlisted numerous women as computers at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Initially assigned to manual mathematical equations, these human computers played a pivotal role in advancing space exploration.

The concept of human computers, dating back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, gained prominence during World War II at Langley. African-American women with college degrees were recruited for computing roles, albeit initially in a segregated West Area Computers section.

Over time, these women transitioned to roles as engineers and electronic computer programmers, making substantial contributions to John Glenn's historic orbit in 1962.

'Hidden Figures' Unveiling Pioneering Women at Langley

"Hidden Figures" specifically highlights the stories of three remarkable computers-Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan-revealing their pioneering roles at Langley. Here are their brief biographies:

Mary Jackson

After graduating with honors and holding a Bachelor of Science degree from the Hampton Institute in Virginia, Mary Jackson initially worked as a schoolteacher before joining NACA. As a computer in the segregated West Area Computing section, she contributed to wind tunnels and flight experiments, focusing on extracting vital data from flight tests.

Beyond her official duties, Jackson actively supported women's career advancement, providing guidance on educational opportunities. Recognizing obstacles like the lack of certain courses and the prevailing glass ceiling, she addressed these challenges for her colleagues.

After a 30-year career with NACA and NASA, she transitioned to become an equal opportunity specialist, advocating for the progression of women and minorities. Despite her behind-the-scenes role, Jackson played a crucial part in promoting individuals and retired from NASA in 1985. She passed away on February 11, 2005, at the age of 83.

Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson's remarkable journey began with early academic achievements in West Virginia, leading to college studies at the age of 13. After a stint as a schoolteacher, she joined Langley's West Area Computing section in 1953, focusing on analyzing flight test data. With the launch of Sputnik in 1957, Johnson's math equations became integral to a lecture series on space technology, highlighting her pivotal role in the evolving field.

Her influence extended into the Mercury missions, where Johnson conducted trajectory analysis for Shepard's 1961 Freedom 7 mission and, at John Glenn's request, for his 1962 orbital mission. Despite Glenn's trajectory being initially planned by computers, he specifically sought Johnson's expertise to ensure the equations' safety.

Johnson's significant contributions transcended Mercury, playing a crucial role in Project Apollo, where she synchronized the Lunar Lander with the moon-orbiting Command and Service Module. Her impact also reached the space shuttle and Earth Resources Satellite, and she authored or coauthored 26 research reports.

Johnson retired in 1986, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at 97 in 2015, and passed away on February 24, 2020, at the age of 101.

Dorothy Vaughan

Dorothy Vaughan's journey began as a math teacher in 1943 when she joined the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Initially hired temporarily during World War II, a new executive order banning discrimination in the defense industry secured her a permanent position due to the laboratory's data processing needs.

Despite segregation laws requiring Vaughan and her black colleagues to work separately, she broke barriers by becoming the first black NACA supervisor in 1949, ensuring deserved promotions and pay raises for her team.

The end of segregation in 1958 marked a turning point when NACA transitioned into NASA, establishing an analysis and computation division. Renowned for her expertise in FORTRAN programming, a prominent computer language, Vaughan contributed significantly to the Scout rocket, used for satellite launches.

Her impactful career at NASA spanned until her retirement in 1971. Vaughan passed away on November 10, 2008, at the age of 98.

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