Katherine Johnson

/Tag:Katherine Johnson
25 02, 2019

Katherine G. Johnson

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.

5 12, 2018

FFS Honoring Katherine Johnson on the 115th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers First Flight.

The 115th Anniversary of the accomplishment of manned powered flight by the Brothers, Wilbur and Orville Wright, will be celebrated at the Wright Brother National Memorial on Monday, December 17, 2018 with gates opening at 8:00 AM. The event is sponsored by the First Flight Society, the oldest organization honoring the Wright Brothers, in partnership with the National Park Service.

This year’s program honors Katherine Johnson. A key figure in the history of manned space flight, Katherine Johnson participated for 33 years in the NASA space programs based in Hampton, Virginia. Her work as a mathematician in the early years of the NASA manned space program has been celebrated in writing and cinema. In 2017 NASA dedicated the Katherine Johnson Computational Research Facility at Langley in her honor.

Dr. David Bowles, Director of the NASA Langley […]

13 07, 2018

Have You Seen the Latest Issue of The Flyer?

 

Here  is the front page of the latest edition of The Flyer, the official publication of the First Flight Society. Haven’t gotten yours yet? There is a simple way to remedy that. A membership in the First Flight Society will get this sent right to your door!

Readers of The Flyer were the first to know that this year’s Paul E Garber First Flight Shrine Honoree is Katherine G Johnson. If you’ve read the book or seen the movie Hidden Figures, you now exactly who this amazing lady is. Mrs Johnson will be inducted into the First Flight Shrine during the annual Wright Brothers Celebration in Kill Devil Hills this December 17th.

Join the First Flight Society