The United States needed a powerful rocket capable of delivering heavy payloads into space and placing satellites into Earth’s orbit. NASA’s expert team responded by developing the Centaur rocket, with its software – featuring complex algorithms – authored by mathematician Annie Easley. She was one of the first African-American women to secure a scientific position at NASA.
Easley’s work contributed to the successful launch of Syncom 2, the world’s first geostationary satellite, as well as to the development of Saturn V rocket technology – later used in the Apollo program that landed humans on the Moon. She was also deeply committed to environmental sustainability, working on the development of alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, along with hybrid engine technologies.
Annie Easley joined NASA’s Lewis Research Center in 1955 at the age of 22 as a mathematician. Over the next 34 years she worked as a computer engineer and became a pioneering scientist known for developing innovative technologies.
She authored 26 scientific papers and from 1989 until her passing in 2011 she focused on education and mentoring. As a consultant, she helped inspire and guide many young people toward careers in STEM.
Her contributions to space science and engineering were honored with several NASA awards, recognizing her impact and achievements.
