Katherine Johnson, the mathematician who’s calculations made for groundbreaking space missions, has just been honored by NASA
By Jessica Bennett, Ebony
Katherine Johnson, the mathematician whose calculations were crucial for groundbreaking space missions, has just been honored by NASA with a facility in her name.
Established in 1993, the Independent Verification and Validation Facility (IV&V) in West Virginia has been renamed the Katherine Johnson IV&V Facility, according to the association.
“Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia in 1918, Katherine’s intense curiosity and brilliance with numbers lead her to a distinguished career with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics and NASA.”
Johnson was played by Taraji P. Henson in 2016 film Hidden Figures.
Last fall, Johnson was honored with a statue and scholarship at her alma mater, West Virginia State University.
“I am very appreciative to WVSU for giving me the opportunity to create the monument sculpture of Mrs. Katherine Johnson,” artist Frederick Hightower told Metro News. “This sculpture being on our campus will not only honor the great accomplishments of Mrs. Johnson, but will also bring national attention and recognition to one of America’s great HBCUs, West Virginia State University.”
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