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Scientist Exhibit

Katherine Johnson

Mathematics • Engineering

1918 – 2020 United States

Calculated and verified flight trajectories for early United States space missions

Overview Institutions
Katherine Johnson

Overview

About Katherine Johnson

Katherine Johnson was a mathematician whose orbital calculations supported major American spaceflight missions. After joining the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1953, she worked on flight research and later NASA programs. Her calculations contributed to Alan Shepard's mission, John Glenn's orbital flight, and preparations for Apollo missions. She became widely recognized for combining mathematical insight with extraordinary accuracy.

Scientific Contribution

Key Discovery

Orbital trajectory and launch-window calculations

Mathematical trajectory, launch-window and orbital calculations supporting NASA's Mercury and Apollo missions.

Life Timeline

Important Moments

1953

career

Joins NACA at Langley

Johnson began work at Langley in the West Area Computing section of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics.

1960

publication

Coauthors orbital-flight research report

Johnson and Ted Skopinski published a report describing equations for orbital spaceflight.

1961

discovery

Calculates trajectory for Freedom 7

Johnson performed trajectory analysis for Alan Shepard's Freedom 7 mission, the first American human spaceflight.

1962

discovery

Verifies calculations for John Glenn's orbital flight

John Glenn asked Johnson to personally recheck the electronic computer calculations for Friendship 7.

1969

discovery

Contributes to Apollo 11 trajectory work

Johnson's technical contributions included calculations connected with the Apollo 11 mission to the Moon.

1986

career

Retires from Langley

Johnson retired after 33 years at Langley.

Places & Networks

Institutions