How A Computer Called Katherine Changed The Face Of NASA
In the mid-20th century, America’s space exploration program was in full swing, but humans still hadn’t ventured beyond low Earth orbit. The Soviet Union had beaten the United States into space by launching Sputnik in 1957 and then went on to send the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space in 1961. America was lagging behind, and the stakes were high.
In 1961, NASA introduced new requirements for their human computers. At that time, they were predominantly women who used pencils, slide rules, and logarithmic tables to crunch numbers for engineers. The new requirements stated that human computers should hold a degree in a technical field and, importantly, be fluent in programming languages.
Despite these requirements, not many Black women were hired, and those who were employed made significantly less than their white colleagues. But that was about to change thanks to Katherine Johnson, or more precisely, the IBM computer called Katherine.
In 1962, NASA introduced a new computing system that relied on an IBM 7090 computer. The computer was not only much faster and more accurate than human computers, but it could also process more complex equations and algorithms. Katherine Johnson played a crucial role in this transition.
Katherine was a mathematics prodigy who’d joined NASA’s Langley Research Center’s Flight Research Division in 1953. She calculated flight paths, launch windows, and trajectories for manned and unmanned space missions. Before the introduction of the IBM computer, she double-checked every result calculated by their human computers to make sure that the math was correct.
During the transition to the IBM computer, Katherine took it upon herself to learn FORTRAN, a programming language necessary for the new computer system. She then helped other human computers learn the language too, and ensured that all the math calculations were accurate before the program went live.
The introduction of the IBM computer was groundbreaking for NASA, as it paved the way for more complex space missions. It was faster, more accurate, and allowed for the use of more advanced calculations that were essential for space travel. The IBM computer called Katherine was not only an instrumental tool for NASA, but it was also the beginning of real opportunities for many Black women who held technical degrees.
However, Katherine did not stop there. Her work as a human computer and then a computer programmer was instrumental in multiple NASA missions, including involving the Apollo program that landed on the Moon. Her efforts ensured that the math and calculations were accurate, and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2015.
In conclusion, Katherine Johnson and the IBM computer called Katherine revolutionized NASA’s approach to space travel. Before their introduction, human computers had been relied upon for their quick calculations, but they were often limited in their abilities to process complex equations. The introduction of the IBM computer was instrumental in paving the way for NASA’s eventual space milestones, and Katherine’s work as a human computer and programmer contributed significantly to this transformation. Her legacy continues to inspire young women, especially girls in STEM, to pursue their passions and make their mark on the world.
