Katherine Johnson | Orbital Mathematics and Human Spaceflight
Hall of Records · Chamber of Knowledge
Katherine Johnson calculated trajectories, launch windows, and return paths for major U.S. space missions.
Record Overview
Her work at NASA and its predecessor agency supported early human spaceflight, including John Glenn’s orbital mission and Apollo-era planning.
Documented Record
Johnson worked through both racial and gender segregation while becoming trusted for the accuracy of her calculations.
Why This Record Matters
The record preserves mathematical expertise as mission-critical labor and a Black woman’s place in the history of space exploration.
Record Timeline
- 1953: Johnson joins the NACA laboratory at Langley.
- 1961–1962: Her calculations support early crewed missions and John Glenn’s orbit.
- 1969: NASA lands astronauts on the Moon after years of trajectory work.
- 2015: Johnson receives the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
- 2020: Johnson dies at age 101.
Living Archive
- Which mission documents contain her calculations?
- How did human computers transition into electronic-computing teams?
- How can her work be taught beyond inspirational biography?
Sources and Image
Image credit: Wikimedia Commons file: Katherine Johnson at NASA, in 1966.jpg. Review the file page for creator, attribution, and license.
Image-use note: Confirm the Wikimedia Commons file-page license, attribution, and personality-rights requirements before publication.
Image note: Recovered documentary/archival image. Review source-page attribution and reuse rights before publication.
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