Overview
This lecture focuses on NASA's early space program, the challenges faced in beating the Russians to space, and the critical roles played by mathematicians and engineers, particularly women and African Americans.
The Space Race & Program Urgency
- Russians have a spy satellite taking images, pressuring the US to advance its space efforts.
- The US space program must justify itself by achieving manned spaceflight before the Russians reach the moon.
- Rapid mathematical and technological advancements are needed, including new math for safe re-entry.
Barriers and Bias in NASA
- Women, especially African American women, face significant barriers at NASA.
- There is no established protocol for females to attend important technical briefings.
- Segregation impacts daily work, such as restricted bathroom access for African American women.
Key Roles and Contributions
- Mathematicians, referred to as "computers," perform essential trajectory calculations for launches and re-entry.
- Catherine is recognized as exceptionally skilled with complex numbers.
- The IBM Data Processing System is introduced, requiring new programming expertise.
- John Glenn insists on confirming calculations with the women mathematicians before his flight.
Teamwork and Challenges
- Success in the space program depends on collaboration and everyone reaching their potential together.
- The team faces technical crises, such as Friendship 7 experiencing re-entry malfunctions.
- Over 50 million people follow the high-stakes launch, reflecting its national importance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Trajectory — the path followed by an object moving through space
- IBM Data Processing System — early computer system used for calculations at NASA
- Friendship 7 — the spacecraft piloted by John Glenn on a key NASA mission
- Space Race — competition between the US and USSR for space exploration dominance
Action Items / Next Steps
- Learn how to program the IBM Data Processing System.
- Review key math and physics concepts related to spaceflight trajectories and re-entry.
- Reflect on the impact of diversity and teamwork in solving complex scientific problems.