Katherine Johnson
Born 1918 · Age 107
American mathematician and NASA aerospace technologist whose manual and later digital orbital mechanics calculations were critical to Project Mercury, Apollo, the Shuttle program and early NASA missions; pioneer for African-American women in STEM.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
Creola Katherine Coleman (later Johnson) born to Joylette Roberta (Lowe) and Joshua McKinley Coleman; youngest of four children.
Started high school on West Virginia State campus
Attended high school on West Virginia State College campus (Institute, WV) at age 10 after local schools did not offer secondary schooling for black students.
Graduated high school early
Graduated high school at age 14 after accelerated progress through grades.
Matriculated at West Virginia State College
Entered West Virginia State College (historically black college) and took every math course available.
Graduated summa cum laude (B.S., Math & French)
Graduated West Virginia State College summa cum laude with degrees in mathematics and French at age 18 (recorded 1937).
Took first teaching job
Accepted a teaching position at a black public school in Marion, Virginia after college graduation.
Selected to integrate WVU graduate school
Chosen as one of three African-American students (and the only woman) to enroll in West Virginia University's graduate mathematics program following Gaines v. Canada progress.
Married James Francis Goble
Married her first husband, James Francis Goble, and subsequently left graduate study to focus on family.
Left graduate program to raise family
Completed one session at WVU graduate program then left to focus on family life with husband James Goble.
Heard about NACA hiring human 'computers'
Learned at a family gathering that NACA (predecessor to NASA) was hiring mathematicians (human computers) for Langley.
Reassigned to Guidance & Control Division (flight research)
Two weeks into her tenure, Katherine was pulled to assist the male-dominated Flight Research Division and never returned to the pool full-time.
Moved family to Newport News, Virginia
Relocated with family to be able to work at Langley/NACA.
Assigned to West Area 'Colored Computers' pool
Initially worked as part of the segregated West Area Computing section, performing manual computations for engineers.
Hired by NACA at Langley
Accepted and began work at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory; start of 33-year government career.
Death of first husband James Goble
Husband James Goble died of an inoperable brain tumor (reported 1956), leaving Katherine a widow with three daughters.
NACA reorganized into NASA; desegregation enforced
NACA became the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; segregation formally ended at the installation, changing workplace structure.
First coauthored research report (Skopinski & Johnson)
Coauthored 'Determination of Azimuth Angle at Burnout...' with engineer Ted Skopinski — first time a woman in her division received co-author credit.
Calculated trajectory for Alan Shepard's Freedom 7
Computed trajectories and launch window for America's first human spaceflight (Alan Shepard) and ensured accurate splashdown location.
Verified John Glenn's Friendship 7 computations
At John Glenn's specific request, Johnson rechecked the electronic computer's orbital calculations by hand before launch; Glenn insisted 'get the girl' (Johnson) to verify.
Contributed to Apollo 11 trajectory calculations
Part of teams that calculated launch windows and rendezvous paths for Apollo lunar missions, including Apollo 11's voyage to the Moon.
Worked on Space Shuttle & Earth Resources Satellite programs
Contributed calculations and analysis for early Space Shuttle development and the Earth Resources Technology Satellite (Landsat) programs.
Worked on Apollo 13 contingency return
Her backup procedures, charts and star-observation system contributed to the safe return of Apollo 13's crew after mission abort.
Langley Research Center Special Achievement Awards (multiple years)
Received multiple Langley Special Achievement awards across career (documented 1971, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986).
NASA Group Achievement Award (Lunar Spacecraft & Operations team)
Presented the NASA Group Achievement Award for pioneering navigation work supporting lunar orbiters and Apollo preparation.
Retired from NASA after 33 years
Retired from the agency in 1986 after a career spanning NACA and NASA (1953–1986).
Named Mathematician of the Year (National Technical Association)
Honored by the National Technical Association as Mathematician of the Year.
Honorary Doctor of Laws (SUNY Farmingdale)
Received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from SUNY Farmingdale (honorary degree).
West Virginia State College Outstanding Alumnus
Named Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by West Virginia State (her alma mater).
Honorary Doctor of Science (Capitol College)
Awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree by Capitol College, Maryland.
Honorary Doctor of Science (Old Dominion University)
Received an honorary Doctorate of Science from Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA.
Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
President Barack Obama presented Katherine Johnson with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor.
Included on BBC's 100 Women list
Named one of the BBC 100 Women of influence worldwide in 2016.
Total authored/coauthored research reports (career tally)
Katherine Johnson authored or coauthored 26 research reports over her NASA career.
Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility named and dedicated
NASA Langley named and formally dedicated a new 40,000 sq ft computational research facility in her honor (dedication May 5, 2016).
Subject of book 'Hidden Figures' and film portrayal
Margot Lee Shetterly published Hidden Figures (2016) and the feature film (Dec 2016) starred Taraji P. Henson as Katherine Johnson, raising her public profile.
Received Silver Snoopy Award and NASA Group Achievement Award
Presented the Silver Snoopy (astronaut-presented) and a NASA Group Achievement Award in 2016 (Silver Snoopy presented by astronaut Leland D. Melvin).
Langley West Computing Unit NASA Group Achievement Award recognized
Received the Langley West Computing Unit NASA Group Achievement Award at a reception (honoring Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and others).
DAR Medal of Honor; Honorary doctorate (Spelman)
Received Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) Medal of Honor (2017) and an honorary doctorate from Spelman College.
Attended facility opening; received standing ovation at Oscars
Attended the facility opening (Sept 22, 2017) and received a standing ovation at the 89th Academy Awards (appeared with Taraji P. Henson).
West Virginia State University scholarship and statue; Barbie announced
WVSU established a STEM scholarship and erected a life-size statue (Aug 2018); Mattel announced a Katherine Johnson Barbie doll in 2018.
Honorary Doctor of Science (College of William & Mary)
Awarded an honorary Doctor of Science from William & Mary; attended the ceremony.
NASA IV&V facility renamed in her honor
NASA renamed the Independent Verification and Validation Facility in Fairmont, WV to the Katherine Johnson Independent Verification and Validation Facility (Feb 22, 2019).
Second husband James A. 'Jim' Johnson died
Her husband of 60 years, James A. Johnson, died in March 2019 at age 93.
Honorary doctorate (University of Johannesburg)
Conferred the degree of Philosophiae Doctor Honoris causa by the University of Johannesburg and its Faculty of Science.
George Mason University names building in her honor
George Mason University named the main building on their SciTech campus 'Katherine G. Johnson Hall' in June 2019.
Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
Congress awarded Katherine Johnson (and colleagues) the Congressional Gold Medal on Nov 8, 2019.
Died in Newport News, Virginia
Katherine Johnson died at a retirement home in Newport News on Feb 24, 2020 at age 101.
Bethel School District names elementary school
Bethel School District (Washington) named its newest school Katherine G. Johnson Elementary (2020).
Lanier Middle School renamed Katherine Johnson Middle School (City of Fairfax)
Fairfax City school board voted to rename Sidney Lanier Middle School to Katherine Johnson Middle School on Nov 2, 2020.
ÑuSat 15 'Katherine' satellite launched
A satellite named 'Katherine' (ÑuSat 15 / COSPAR 2020-079G) was launched into space on Nov 6, 2020, carrying her name.
Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft named SS Katherine Johnson
Northrop Grumman named its Cygnus NG-15 spacecraft 'SS Katherine Johnson' (Feb 2021) to honor her legacy (posthumous).
Posthumous induction into National Women's Hall of Fame
Inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2021 (posthumous honor).
Multiple U.S. school namings in her honor (San Juan USD, Baltimore County)
San Juan Unified School District and Baltimore County Public Schools named new schools after Katherine Johnson (2021).
Inducted into National Aviation Hall of Fame
Posthumous induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame (2024).
GPS 3 Space Vehicle 8 named 'Creola Katherine Johnson' launched
United States Space Force named GPS 3 Space Vehicle 8 satellite 'Creola Katherine Johnson' and it was launched into orbit May 30, 2025 (posthumous honor).
Key Achievement Ages
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