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Katherine Johnson

The Hook

The human computer who sent us to the moon.

Missing Image
(Portrait)

What is it?

NASA mathematician whose calculations of orbital mechanics were critical to the success of the first US spaceflights.

Time Travel (History)

1918-2020. Astronaut John Glenn refused to launch until she personally verified the computer's numbers.

Cheat Code

She calculated the trajectory for Apollo 11. Without her, they might have missed the moon.