The NASA Mathematician Who Calculated the Moon Landing: The Story of Katherine Johnson

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the extraordinary life of Creola Katherine Johnson, the trailblazing African-American mathematician whose brilliant calculations helped NASA win the Space Race. Long before the era of modern technology, Johnson worked as a "human computer" at a segregated facility in Virginia, where she fought past systemic racial and gender barriers to become one of the most critical figures in American space exploration.

We explore her incredible career milestones, from calculating the trajectory for Alan Shepard—the first American in space—to verifying the math for John Glenn, who famously refused to launch into orbit until Johnson personally checked the electronic computer's numbers. We also discuss her essential contributions to the Apollo 11 Moon landing, her role in securing the safe return of the aborted Apollo 13 mission, and her lasting legacy as the inspiration behind the hit film Hidden Figures.

Tune in to discover the turning points, controversies, and lasting impact of this Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient, and learn why her story remains a cornerstone for women and minorities in STEM today.

Keywords: Katherine Johnson, NASA, space race, Hidden Figures, human computer, Apollo 11 moon landing, African-American mathematicians, women in STEM, John Glenn, space exploration history.