Before John Glenn orbited the earth or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as "human computers" used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation. Originally relegated to teaching math in...

The cost of the Space Race for both the United States and the Soviet Union was immense, but many technology advancements resulted, including satellite communications and GPS navigation. With so much invested, both countries continued their space exploration efforts, even cooperating on some projects, such as the International Space Station. This title will examine the Skylab and Mir space stations, both nations' space shuttle efforts, and space exploration...

On July 20, 1969, at 3:16 p.m., Commander Neil Armstrong brought the lunar module, Eagle , to a safe landing on the Moon. Millions of television viewers on Earth watched breathlessly as he then became the first man to set foot on the Moon. This amazing achievement was years, even centuries, in the making. The Moon and the heavens have intrigued mankind since ancient times. FOOTPRINTS ON THE MOON chronicles the spirit and determination of visionaries...

Before John Glenn orbited the Earth or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of professionals worked as "Human Computers," calculating the flight paths that would enable these historic achievements. Among these were a coterie of bright, talented African-American women. Segregated from their white counterparts by Jim Crow laws, these "colored computers," as they were known, used slide rules, adding machines, and pencil and paper to support America's...

Discusses the race between the United States and the Soviet Union to be the first nation to send a man into space and to land on the moon, including a glimpse of historical, technological, and human factors involved.

When Neil Armstrong set foot upon the moon in 1969, it was the end result of an effort that involved several years, billions of dollars, and hundreds of thousands of people. The First Moon Landing examines this historic event from multiple perspectives, including those of Armstrong himself, computer programmer Margaret Hamilton, and engineer Tom Kelly. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject....

Follows Mary Jackson's path from math teacher to "human computer" and the first African American female engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.