Inducted in 2018
NASA research mathematician
1918-2020
A NASA mathematician for 33 years, Mrs. Johnson was the first female to author a NASA research report and is most known for her work on the trajectory analysis needed for Alan Shepards’ 1961 Freedom mission and John Glenn’s 1962 orbital mission. However, she cites her calculations syncing the Apollo Lunar Lander with the Command & Service Module as her greatest contribution to space exploration. Profiled in the book and movie “Hidden Figures”. Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
Painting by Gregory Kavalec, displayed at Wright Brothers National Memorial Visitors Center, Kill Devil Hills, NC.