Catherine Johnson's Contributions to Space

Catherine Johnson, a gifted mathematician and aerospace pioneer, overcame gender and racial barriers to make significant contributions to NASA's space missions. She was instrumental in calculating trajectories for key missions, including Alan Shepard's and John Glenn's flights, and the Apollo 11 moon landing. Her work paved the way for women in science and inspired future generations. Johnson's legacy is celebrated with numerous accolades, including the Barnard Medal of Distinction.

At what age did Catherine Johnson start college?

• 18

• 20

• 15

• 12

What significant step did Catherine take in 1939?

• Became the first woman at NASA

• Integrated West Virginia University

• Launched a space mission

• Wrote her first research paper

What was Catherine Johnson's role at Langley Research Center?

• Pilot

• Flight engineer

• Astronaut

• Mathematician

Which astronaut specifically requested Catherine to verify calculations?

• Neil Armstrong

• John Glenn

• Buzz Aldrin

• Yuri Gagarin

What was Catherine's contribution to the 1961 space mission?

• She calculated the flight path

• She was the mission commander

• She designed the spacecraft

• She piloted the spacecraft

How many research reports did Catherine Johnson author or co-author?

• 15

• 26

• 10

• 30

What was Catherine Johnson's distinction in the flight research division?

• First woman to become an astronaut

• First woman to lead a mission

• First woman to receive credit as an author

• First woman to design a spacecraft

What is the significance of the Barnard Medal of Distinction?

• It is a sports achievement award

• It is given to the best mathematician

• It recognizes contributions to science and society

• It is awarded to astronauts

Who were some of the other women mentioned alongside Catherine Johnson?

• Amelia Earhart and Valentina Tereshkova

• Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson

• Sally Ride and Mae Jemison

• Marie Curie and Rosalind Franklin

What legacy did Catherine Johnson leave for future generations?

• A space exploration company

• A new mathematical theory

• Inspiration for women in science

• A series of novels