Rise of the Rocket Girls Summary

Behind every rocket that soared into space, there were women whose calculations made the impossible possible. Their work was invisible then, but their legacy is undeniable now.

1. Women Were the Original "Computers"

In the early days of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), the term "computer" referred to people, not machines. Women like Barbara Canright were hired to perform complex mathematical calculations by hand, a task that required exceptional precision and skill. These women were the backbone of JPL's early experiments, calculating propulsion, force, and trajectories for rocket launches.

Barbara Canright was the first female computer at JPL, joining in 1939. Her work involved crunching numbers for experiments that aimed to improve jet propulsion. These calculations were labor-intensive, often taking weeks to complete and filling multiple notebooks. As JPL expanded, more women joined the computing team, forming an all-female division led by Macie Roberts, a rare leadership role for a woman in the 1940s.

Despite their critical contributions, these women were often overlooked. They worked behind the scenes, their efforts unacknowledged in a male-dominated field. Yet, their calculations were the foundation for JPL's early successes, including the development of jet engines and military rockets.

Examples

• Barbara Canright calculated propulsion data for early rocket experiments.
• Macie Roberts led an all-female computing team at JPL.
• Female computers filled up to eight notebooks with calculations for a single experiment.

2. The Space Race Was Fueled by Women’s Calculations

During World War II, JPL shifted its focus to military rockets, and women computers played a key role in analyzing experimental results. Their work laid the groundwork for future space exploration, even as they contributed to wartime efforts.

Barbara Paulson, another JPL computer, worked on the Corporal missile project, which introduced the concept of multi-stage rockets. This innovation allowed rockets to travel farther by using successive stages to propel them into higher altitudes. These calculations were essential for developing rockets capable of escaping Earth's atmosphere.

The women at JPL also secretly pursued space exploration research, even when the Department of Defense prioritized military projects. Their persistence paid off when JPL successfully launched the Explorer satellite in 1958, marking the United States' entry into the space race.

Examples

• Barbara Paulson calculated trajectories for the Corporal missile.
• Women computers worked on multi-stage rocket designs.
• JPL launched the Explorer satellite after secretly continuing space research.

3. Women Overcame Barriers to Enter the Field

In the 1940s and 1950s, women faced significant barriers to entering technical fields. Engineering degrees were rare for women, and societal expectations often limited their career options. At JPL, however, advanced math skills were the only requirement to become a computer, allowing women to contribute despite lacking formal engineering credentials.

JPL's culture was unique for its time. Women like Helen Chow and Janez Lawson, the lab's first African-American employee, were hired based on their abilities, not their gender or race. This inclusive environment allowed women to excel in roles that were otherwise inaccessible to them.

Even so, challenges remained. Women were expected to leave their jobs if they became pregnant, and they often had to choose between family and career. Despite these obstacles, the women at JPL persisted, proving their value through their exceptional work.

Examples

• Helen Chow was hired for her mathematical expertise, not her gender.
• Janez Lawson broke racial barriers as JPL's first African-American employee.
• Women were forced to quit their jobs if they became pregnant.

4. The Transition to Electronic Computers Wasn't Smooth

By the 1960s, electronic computers began to replace human ones, but the transition was far from seamless. Early machines like the IBM 1620 were large, slow, and unreliable compared to the women who had been performing calculations by hand.

Women like Helen Chow continued to outperform these early computers, often beating them in speed and accuracy. The machines were so unreliable that they earned nicknames like "CADET" (Can’t Add, Doesn’t Even Try). Despite these challenges, the women adapted, learning programming languages like FORTRAN and HAL to operate the new technology.

This adaptability ensured that women remained integral to JPL's operations, even as the nature of their work evolved. They became pioneers in programming, bridging the gap between manual calculations and automated computing.

Examples

• Helen Chow consistently outperformed early electronic computers.
• The IBM 1620 was slower and less reliable than human computers.
• Women learned programming languages to operate electronic machines.

5. Women Played a Key Role in Landmark Missions

The women at JPL were instrumental in some of NASA's most famous missions, including the Voyager and Viking programs. These missions required precise calculations to navigate probes through the solar system and land on distant planets.

Sue Finley and Sylvia Wallace worked on the Voyager program, calculating trajectories that used planetary gravitational pulls to propel probes through space. This technique, known as the "Grand Tour," allowed the probes to travel vast distances with minimal fuel. Meanwhile, Barbara Paulson calculated the trajectory for the Viking probe, ensuring its safe entry into Mars's orbit and its successful landing.

These missions showcased the women’s ability to solve complex problems, proving that their contributions were essential to NASA's success.

Examples

• Sue Finley calculated trajectories for the Voyager program.
• Sylvia Wallace developed computer programs for the Grand Tour.
• Barbara Paulson ensured the Viking probe's safe landing on Mars.

6. The Women’s Liberation Movement Brought Change

The 1970s saw significant progress for women at JPL, thanks in part to the broader women’s liberation movement. Universities began admitting more women into engineering programs, opening new career paths that had previously been closed.

Helen Chow played a key role in this transformation. She hired female programmers and encouraged them to pursue engineering degrees, helping them advance their careers. Maternity leave policies were also introduced, allowing women to balance work and family without sacrificing their jobs.

These changes marked a turning point, enabling women to take on more prestigious roles at JPL and paving the way for future generations.

Examples

• Helen Chow encouraged women to pursue engineering degrees.
• Maternity leave policies were introduced in the late 1960s.
• More women entered engineering programs in the 1970s.

7. Diversity Was a Strength at JPL

JPL was ahead of its time in fostering a diverse workforce. Women from different backgrounds, including African-American and Asian-American employees, worked together to achieve groundbreaking results.

This diversity was a source of strength, bringing different perspectives and ideas to the table. For example, Helen Yee Ling Chow’s calculations were critical to the success of the Jupiter-C rocket, while Janez Lawson broke barriers as both a woman and a person of color.

The inclusive culture at JPL allowed these women to thrive, setting an example for other organizations to follow.

Examples

• Helen Yee Ling Chow contributed to the Jupiter-C rocket's success.
• Janez Lawson was JPL's first African-American employee.
• JPL's diverse workforce achieved groundbreaking results.

8. Women’s Contributions Are Finally Being Recognized

For decades, the women of JPL worked in the shadows, their contributions overlooked. Today, their achievements are finally being acknowledged, thanks to books, documentaries, and public awareness campaigns.

Sue Finley, one of the longest-serving employees at JPL, exemplifies this recognition. Her work on the Deep Space Network and other projects has been celebrated, highlighting the critical role women played in the space program.

This recognition not only honors the past but also inspires future generations of women to pursue careers in science and engineering.

Examples

• Books like "Rise of the Rocket Girls" highlight women’s contributions.
• Sue Finley’s work on the Deep Space Network is widely celebrated.
• Public awareness campaigns honor the women of JPL.

9. The Legacy of the Rocket Girls Lives On

The women of JPL laid the foundation for modern space exploration. Their work continues to influence NASA’s missions, from the Mars rovers to the Juno probe orbiting Jupiter.

Today, more women work at JPL than at any other NASA center, a testament to the trailblazing efforts of the Rocket Girls. Their legacy is a reminder that diversity and inclusion are essential for innovation and progress.

As we look to the future, the contributions of these women serve as an inspiration for the next generation of scientists and engineers.

Examples

• The Mars rovers build on the work of the Rocket Girls.
• The Juno probe reflects the legacy of Sue Finley and her peers.
• JPL now employs more women than any other NASA center.

Takeaways

1. Encourage young women to pursue careers in STEM by sharing stories of trailblazing women like the Rocket Girls.
2. Advocate for workplace policies that support work-life balance, such as maternity leave and flexible schedules.
3. Promote diversity and inclusion in all fields, recognizing that different perspectives lead to better solutions.