Stepping Foot on the Moon
In 1969, the Apollo 11 spacecraft mission successfully put the first humans on the moon as people worldwide watched from their living rooms.
The crew included Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, three lone men who did the impossible; and yet, they did not do it alone.
Not only was this a historic moment that will never occur as a first again, but it was a landmark television broadcast as viewers worldwide had the option to tune in and take part in this moment, thanks to the technological innovations and advance planning of hundreds of talented individuals across a variety of business, science and technology disciplines.
This previously-unheard-of feat left people stunned worldwide and full of wonder, spurring further scientific research and cultural interest in the beyond.
While it was these men who were able to go to outer space, the success of their mission was thanks to the hundreds of support staff who provided the calculations and on-the-ground support.
Fun Facts
- The American flag placed on the moon was crafted by Sears.
- Today’s cell phones are more powerful than the computers that were aboard the NASA spaceships.
Fun Facts
Hamilton is credited with coining the term “software engineer.”
Fun Facts
Johnson started high school at 10 years old and college when she was 15!
Top: Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins | Bottom left: Margaret Hamilton | Bottom Right: Katherine Johnson
Orbital Operations
Margaret Hamilton is credited with getting the crew of Apollo 11 to the moon and back safely with her on-board flight software and its highly developed in-flight emergency warnings. A computer programmer by trade, Hamilton graduated from MIT and began work on weather predictions and chaos theory, before learning of an opportunity to work with the NASA team on spaceflight.
Her dedication and creativity demonstrated how a software engineer could put her skills toward unique endeavors and adapt them for imagined missions that turned into tangible success.
Thankfully, she seized the opportunity, and used her ability to create to ensure the astronauts came home to their families successfully so that the world could hear the stories of their amazing adventure. Her software was a vital puzzle piece in the larger team effort it took to guide the spacecraft and its controllers. While technology has continued to develop, her foundation still remains firm as a resource later generations have now built upon.
A Powerful Trajectory: The Human Computer
Katherine Johnson was an amazing mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics helped lead to the success of the Apollo 11 flight and many other spaceflights. Her calculations not only took astronauts to space, but they helped provide emergency plans and alternate options should chaos ensue. In addition, she was one of the first African American women to work for NASA, although she was rejected from NASA the first time she applied.
Not only did Johnson push past the planetary limits, but she overcame racial, gender and even age boundaries.
A “human computer” of sorts, her magnificent contributions were not well known until the recent release of the movie Hidden Figures, which also highlights the support system and partners she had in her co-workers.
These later years of her life brought recognition from NASA and President Obama, after years of thankless work. However, she was relentless in her pursuit of greatness and selflessly gave of her time and talent for the common good.