Chapter 16 Summary: Sputnik, NASA, and the End of West Computing

Sputnik and the Space Race

In October 1957, people, including Catherine Gobble, watched Sputnik, a Russian satellite, with a mix of wonder and terror.
Americans were concerned about falling behind the Russians in space exploration.
Lyndon B. Johnson stated, "First in space means first period. Second in space is second in everything."

Langley researchers had previously been discouraged from focusing on space-related projects.
Congress had cautioned against using taxpayer money for "science fiction" projects like manned spaceflight. Their focus was supposed to be on practical applications.
Engineers considered how aircraft technology could be adapted for space vehicles, including:
- Missile shapes
- Rocket engines
- Solutions to reentry problems
Space travel required overcoming challenges: aircraft passing through the Earth's atmosphere needed:
- Accelerating through the sound barrier
- Escaping Earth's gravity
- Reaching speeds of 18,000 miles per hour for low Earth orbit.
- Withstanding temperatures up to 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit during reentry.

Engineers debated the best approach to space travel:
- Some favored aircraft-like designs that could orbit and glide back to Earth.
- Others wanted a quicker, more direct route to beat the Russians.
The Flight Research Division, where Katherine Gobel worked, used real planes for research.
The Pilotless Aircraft Research Division (PARD) focused on rockets and had a test range on Wallops Island.
- PARD's rockets had reached speeds of Mach 15.

Multiple agencies (Air Force, Naval Research Observatory, Army Ballistic Missile Agency) wanted to manage the space program.
The National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was chosen to lead the effort which was an exciting time for Catherine, Mary, Dorothy, and the other female computers.
In October 1958, the groups combined to form the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
NASA was more high-profile and subject to public scrutiny than NACA.
NASA was committed to sharing information about its activities with the American public.
Katherine Gobel wanted to contribute to sending humans into space.

As the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 progressed, the West Area Computing Unit was dissolved.
Women from West Computing began receiving permanent assignments in various engineering groups.
Only nine women remained in Dorothy's pool.

Dorothy Vaughan had anticipated the dissolution of the computing pool.
Specialization made central computing pools obsolete.
The computing pool had provided important opportunities for women, especially African American women, at NACA.
Aeronautical research required specialized knowledge.
Women like Dorothy Hoover, Katherine Gobel, and Mary Jackson advanced from West Computing.
The end of West Area Computing was bittersweet for Dorothy Vaughan:
- It meant the end of segregation at Langley.
- Black women would work alongside white engineers and computers.
- Dorothy had supported the careers of women in West Computing and established a reputation for excellence.
- The end of West Computing can be seen as a victory in fighting prejudice.
- It created opportunities for future generations of women in math.
- Conversely, it meant the end of Dorothy's career as a manager.
- She had led West Computing for seven years.
- She was being moved to a new group with a new boss.

In October 1958, Dorothy was 48 years old.
Her children were entering college.
She was proud of her role in fighting prejudice through intellectual merit.
She had witnessed many women from the computing pool advance within the laboratory.
Dorothy and the other female computers proved that women are just as capable as men.
Dorothy embraced the fresh start offered by Langley's changes.