The Apollo Moon landing was one of the most outstanding achievements in human history. However, behind the success of this mission, there were many unsung heroes, including several women who made invaluable contributions to the project.
In this article, we will discuss the stories of five women who made it possible for men to reach the moon.
| Woman | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Katherine Johnson | Human-Computer |
| Margaret Hamilton | Software Engineer |
| Mary Jackson | Aerospace Engineer |
| JoAnn Morgan | Instrumentation Controller |
| Poppy Northcutt | Mission Control Specialist |
Katherine Johnson – Human Computer
Katherine Johnson was a brilliant mathematician and a key figure in the success of the Apollo Moon landing. She was part of the NASA team that calculated the trajectory of the Apollo 11 mission, which ultimately led to the first moon landing.
Her contributions were critical in ensuring the accuracy of the spacecraft’s path and helping the astronauts return safely to Earth.
Katherine had a passion for learning and was particularly interested in mathematics. She breezed through school, even beginning high school at the young age of 10.
By the time she was 15, Katherine had already started college, where she pursued her dream of becoming a mathematician. As an expert in math, she specialized in solving complex problems, focusing on geometry, which involves the study of lines, shapes, and angles.
With hard work and dedication, Katherine graduated from college at the impressive age of 18.
Credits: Katherine Johnson. The picture on the right: NASA’s Langley Research Center in Virginia named a building in honor of Katherine Johnson in 2016. Photo credits to NASA/David C. Bowman.
After finishing college, Katherine taught for a while before getting married and having kids.
When her husband fell ill, she went back to teaching. At 34, she learned that NACA hired African American women as “computers” to solve math problems.
Katherine applied twice before being hired. She was a curious computer who asked questions and attended meetings, breaking barriers for women in the field.
Her hard work and knowledge led her to become a team member at NASA, working on various space projects.
Margaret Hamilton – Software Engineer
Margaret Hamilton was the lead software engineer for the Apollo mission’s onboard flight software.
Her groundbreaking work developing software for space missions laid the foundation for modern software engineering practices.
Hamilton’s software ensured that the Apollo spacecraft could navigate and land on the moon, making her an integral part of the moon landing mission’s success.
In 1969, a team of scientists led by Margaret Hamilton developed groundbreaking software that played a critical role in the success of the Apollo 11 mission.
The software was designed to prevent disaster in emergency scenarios and to clear tasks even when the computer processor on the lunar module was nearly overloaded as the craft neared the moon.
Hamilton’s software was vital in allowing Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin to enter the landing commands that ultimately led to the successful landing on the moon.
Hamilton and her team were pioneers, developing software that had never existed before in such a capacity, and they were the luckiest people in the world to have contributed to such a historic moment.
In a famous photograph from 1969 (see above), Hamilton stands next to books of the code she developed, stacked as high as she stands. The image resurfaced in April, drawing comparisons to a photo of Katie Bouman, the scientist who developed the algorithm that produced the first image of a black hole, proudly presenting the rows of hard drives that contained her data.
Hamilton’s contribution to science and space travel was recognized in 2016 when President Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
Although she never left the Earth’s atmosphere, her groundbreaking software enabled the American flag to be planted on the moon in July 1969.
| Woman | Human-computer at NASA’s Langley Research Center calculated trajectories for spaceflights, including the first human-crewed mission to the Moon | Educational background | Professional background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Katherine Johnson | 44-52 | Human-computer at NASA’s Langley Research Center calculated trajectories for spaceflights, including the first human-crewed mission to the Moon. | Bachelor’s in Mathematics and French, Master’s in Mathematics |
| Margaret Hamilton | 30s-40s | Human-computer at NASA’s Langley Research Center calculated trajectories for spaceflights, including the first human-crewed mission to the Moon | Bachelor’s and Master’s in Mathematics |
| Mary Jackson | 38-63 | Lead software engineer for the Apollo Guidance Computer at MIT’s Instrumentation Lab wrote the software code that helped land Apollo 11 on the Moon. | Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Physical Science pursued graduate courses in Engineering Mathematics. |
| JoAnn Morgan | 28 | Aerospace engineer at NASA’s Langley Research Center worked to ensure the safety and success of the Apollo missions. | Bachelor’s in Engineering |
| Poppy Northcutt | 25 | Instrumentation Controller at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, the only woman in mission control during the Apollo 11 launch | Bachelor’s in Mathematics pursued graduate courses in Law and Business |
Mary Jackson – Aerospace Engineer
Mary Jackson was NASA’s first black female aerospace engineer. Her work involved testing supersonic wind tunnels to help design spacecraft.
She was a trailblazer in the aerospace industry and worked to promote diversity and inclusion in her field. Her dedication and contributions paved the way for future generations of women in STEM.
Gladys was a pioneer in the world of early computing, and her mathematical expertise was crucial to the development of some of the most important technologies of our time.
She spent countless hours poring over complex algorithms, programming IBM computers that filled entire rooms, and required teams of technicians to keep them running smoothly.
Despite her many challenges, Gladys persevered, driven by a fierce determination to make a difference in the world.
Her work on developing Global Positioning Systems, or GPS, revolutionized how we navigate our planet, and countless experts have recognized her contributions in the field.
But Gladys was more than just a brilliant coder and mathematician. She was also a trailblazer and a role model, inspiring generations of young women to pursue careers in STEM fields. And even in retirement, she continues to amaze and inspire us all.
In 2018, at 88, Gladys earned her Ph.D. and was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a life dedicated to service, innovation, and excellence.
Her legacy will continue to inspire and influence generations to come, reminding us of the power of determination, hard work, and an unwavering commitment to improving the world.
For a comprehensive look at the significant contributions made by women to the historic lunar missions, explore our detailed piece on the role of women in the Apollo program.
JoAnn Morgan – Instrumentation Controller
JoAnn Morgan was the only woman present in the launch firing room for the Apollo 11 mission.
As the instrumentation controller, she monitored the rocket’s performance and was responsible for determining if the spacecraft was ready to launch.
Her presence was a significant milestone for women in the aerospace industry, and her expertise was crucial to the mission’s success.
Morgan’s impact on NASA is undeniable; with a career spanning over 45 years, she broke multiple barriers for women in the space program.
Her achievements include being the first woman to win a Sloan Fellowship at NASA, the first woman division chief, senior executive, associate director, and director of Safety and Mission Assurance at Kennedy Space Center, among other accomplishments. As we will see in this feature, the list continues.
As a child, Morgan loved math, science, and music. She had initially planned on becoming a piano teacher, but her trajectory quickly changed after her family moved to Titusville, Florida.
She began working as a trainee for the Army at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station during her summers at age 17, which later became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
Despite working on multiple programs, Morgan was not allowed in the firing room at Liftoff until Apollo 11. It took someone like Karl Sendler to fight for her and convince Debus to give her permission.
Once Morgan received the good news, she became one of the best communicators and was chosen to be on the console for Apollo 11.
After earning a Master of Science in management from Stanford University, Morgan became a divisions chief of the Computer Systems division at NASA.
She is one of the most decorated women at KSC, with numerous awards and recognitions for her work during the activation of Apollo Launch Complex 39, exceptional service medals, outstanding leadership medals, and more.
She received two meritorious executive awards from President Bill Clinton and was inducted into the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame in 1995.
Morgan retired from NASA in August 2003 after serving as the director of External Relations and Business Development.
Morgan’s career at NASA is a testament to the impact that one person can have. She broke barriers for women in the space program and proved that anything is possible with determination and hard work.
Poppy Northcutt – Mission Control Specialist
Poppy Northcutt was the first woman to work as a mission control specialist at NASA. During the Apollo 8 mission, she monitored the spacecraft’s systems and played a critical role in the mission’s success.
Her contributions inspired future generations of women to pursue careers in the aerospace industry.
Frances “Poppy” Northcutt, an alumna of the University of Texas at Austin, acquired a degree in mathematics and became a contractor for TRW Systems, which is now under Northrup Grumman.
In 1965, Northcutt commenced her work as a human “computress” for NASA, a peculiar job title that intrigued her. “Not only do they think I’m a computer, but they think I’m a gendered computer,” she reflected in a 2019 TIME magazine interview.
A year after, she was promoted to a Return-to-Earth Specialist, where she computed mission paths, effectively becoming the first woman in a technical position at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.
During the Apollo 8 mission, Poppy was the only female member of NASA’s Mission Control team in charge of Trans-Earth Injection.
From a young age, Northcutt knew she did not want to be confined to traditional female roles, such as nurse, teacher, or secretary.
She pursued a career in mathematics since it was male-dominated and saw that it offered better pay and more opportunities.
Northcutt was involved in Apollo missions 10, 11, 12, and 13, wherein her team resolved the emergency concerning the explosion of the Apollo 13 oxygen tank.
After tackling advanced mission problems, her focus shifted toward women’s advocacy, and she served in the Houston mayoral office.
After that, she pursued a law degree while working as an engineer.
As the first prosecutor in the domestic violence unit of her county’s district attorney’s office, Northcutt’s expertise in evaluating technical evidence served her well.
She shifted into private practice and focused on advocating for women’s rights, campaigning for the Texas Equal Rights Amendment ratified in 1972.
How did her involvement in space missions help her law career? According to a Space.com interview, Northcutt was accustomed to “evaluating the reasonableness of technical evidence.”
She remains an advocate today and describes herself on social media as a “one-time rocket scientist, sometime lawyer.”
In conclusion, these five women significantly contributed to the Apollo Moon landing mission.
Their groundbreaking work paved the way for future generations of women in STEM and helped ensure the success of one of humanity’s most outstanding achievements.
Acknowledging and celebrating their contributions, which have often been overlooked, is essential.
FAQs
Yes, many women made significant contributions to the mission’s success, but their stories have often been overlooked.
These women played critical roles in ensuring the accuracy of the spacecraft’s trajectory, developing software to navigate the spacecraft, testing supersonic wind tunnels to help design the spaceship and monitoring the spacecraft’s performance during the mission.
They faced various challenges, including gender discrimination and lack of representation. However, their dedication and contributions paved the way for future generations of women in STEM.
These women’s stories highlight the importance of diversity and inclusion in the STEM fields and the need to recognize and celebrate the contributions of women in science and technology.
Their contributions have helped pave the way for future generations of women in STEM, who are now making significant contributions to the aerospace industry and other technological fields.
Join us on this journey of discovery as we explore the Apollo Program and its mission to the moon. Browse our website for more fascinating facts and insights into this groundbreaking accomplishment.
Best Telescopes 2023
If you’re interested in exploring the wonders of space for yourself, why not look at our selection of the Best Telescopes for 2023?
Our affiliate links to Amazon make it easy to purchase top-quality telescopes, so you can start exploring the cosmos from the comfort of your backyard.
Discover the latest models and get expert advice on choosing the perfect telescope to suit your needs. Check out our Best Telescopes 2023 page now and take your first step towards stargazing greatness!