Women Behind the Apollo Missions

The Apollo missions were a series of space exploration missions conducted by the United States from 1961 to 1975. The main goal of the program was to land a human on the moon and return safely to Earth. The program was initiated in response to the Soviet Union's early successes in space exploration and technological advancements during the Cold War. The program involved several unmanned test flights and manned missions, including the iconic Apollo 11 mission which saw astronaut Neil Armstrong become the first human to step on the moon on July 20, 1969. The Apollo program involved a massive effort by NASA and other agencies, as well as thousands of engineers, scientists, and other personnel, and represented a significant milestone in human space exploration.

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The Computers

In the 1960s, before the widespread use of electronic computers, "computers" at NASA were actually people, who performed complex mathematical calculations by hand. These people were highly skilled mathematicians who performed critical calculations for a range of space missions, including the Apollo program. They were responsible for ensuring that the spacecraft trajectories were accurate and that the spacecraft was safely launched and returned to Earth. Amongst these people, two women, Katherine Johnson and Dorothy Vaughan, were instrumental in the success of the Apollo program and played a vital role in putting a man on the moon. Despite facing discrimination and segregation due to their gender and race, they overcame these barriers and made significant contributions to the field of aerospace engineering.

They verified the accuracy of electronic computer calculations and solved problems that occurred during the missions in real time. Katherine Johnson, for example, calculated the trajectory for the Apollo 11 mission, ensuring that the lunar module landed at the correct location on the moon. Dorothy Vaughan trained the first NASA employees to use the newly installed IBM electronic computers and later became the first African American supervisor at NASA. These women's contributions were essential in guaranteeing the safety and success of the Apollo missions and their dedication and expertise played a vital role in putting a man on the moon.

keywords: computers , NASA , 1960s , mathematics , calculations , trajectory , navigation , accuracy , Katherine Johnson , Dorothy Vaughan

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The Engineers

Christine Darden and Mary Jackson were among the women who broke barriers as engineers at NASA. Despite facing discrimination and racism due to their gender and race, they made significant contributions to the Apollo program and the field of aerospace engineering. Christine Darden was a mathematician and aerospace engineer who conducted research on supersonic flight and sonic booms, and later became the first African American woman to be promoted into the Senior Executive Service at NASA's Langley Research Center. Mary Jackson was a mathematician and aerospace engineer who worked on wind tunnels and supersonic flight and became the first African American female engineer at NASA. Her story was featured in the book and movie "Hidden Figures." These women's contributions and perseverance were vital in paving the way for future generations of women and minorities in STEM fields.

Their work in aerodynamics and supersonic flight research was critical to the design of spacecraft and rocket technology. Darden was a part of the team that developed a supersonic transport concept that would later be used by the Concorde, while Jackson's work in the wind tunnels at NASA helped improve the design of spacecraft and launch vehicles. In particular, Jackson's expertise in boundary layer effects on the surfaces of aircraft and spacecraft was essential in developing the heat shields that protected the Apollo spacecraft during reentry

keywords: aerospace engineering , aerodynamics , supersonic flight , concorde , wind tunnels , spacecraft design , rocket technology , launch vehicles

The Scientists

Nancy Grace Roman and Margaret Hamilton are two women scientists who made significant contributions to the field of space exploration. Roman, also known as the "Mother of Hubble" was an astronomer who played a critical role in the development and launch of the Hubble Space Telescope. She was the first Chief of Astronomy in NASA's Office of Space Science and was a strong advocate for space-based astronomy. Margaret Hamilton was a computer scientist and mathematician who developed the on-board flight software for the Apollo missions. She also developed software for the Skylab and Space Shuttle programs.

They played a critical role in the success of various space missions, including the discovery of the first evidence of water on the moon. Roman's advocacy for space-based astronomy and her leadership in the development of the Hubble Space Telescope has revolutionized our understanding of the universe and helped discover the first evidence of water on the moon. Hamilton's software for the Apollo missions was responsible for the successful guidance, navigation, and landing of the spacecraft and the safe return of the astronauts. Her software also helped lay the foundation for modern computer programming and software development.

keywords: Nancy Grace Roman , Margaret Hamilton , Hubble Space Telescope , space-based astronomy , water on the moon , guidance , navigation , lunar module , computer programming , software development , cosmos , space exploration

Conclusion

The women who put man on the moon played a crucial role in the success of the Apollo missions and their contributions had a significant impact on space exploration. These women broke through gender barriers and made important advancements in the fields of engineering, mathematics, and computer science. Without their work, the safe return of the Apollo astronauts may not have been possible. Furthermore, their contributions helped pave the way for future generations of women to pursue careers in STEM fields and continue to make strides in space exploration. The story of these women serves as a reminder of the importance of diversity and inclusion in scientific fields and highlights the power of determination and perseverance in overcoming obstacles.

Important Links, Resouces and Other Stuff

• Space Engineer and Scientist Margaret Hamilton (STEM Trailblazer Bios) (English Edition)

• A Computer Called Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Helped Put America on the Moon

• Apollo: The Mission to Land a Man on the Moon

• Dorothy Vaughan: Nasa's Leading Human Computer (Movers, Shakers, & History Makers)

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