Scientist, Inventor. She was best known as being the first woman pioneer rocket scientist in America to develop technology designs for National space programs. Receiving a Master's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern California, she began to work on concepts for rocket and jet propulsion. In 1967, with RCA Astro Electronics, she earned an International reputation when she invented the Dual Thrust Level Monopropellant Spacecraft Propulsion System, (Patent# 3,807,657). Her development of a more efficient rocket thruster keeps satellites orbiting more stable, allows satellites to carry less fuel, more equipment and to stay in space longer, became an industry standard in space exploration and utilization. Working for NASA, she contributed to the propulsion systems of the first weather satellite Tiros, Nova rocket designs used in American moon missions, the Mars Observer Satellite and developed the rocket motor for the Space Shuttle. In 2001, she was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2010 and was presented the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2011. She died of cancer at age 88.
Scientist, Inventor. She was best known as being the first woman pioneer rocket scientist in America to develop technology designs for National space programs. Receiving a Master's Degree in Chemistry from the University of Southern California, she began to work on concepts for rocket and jet propulsion. In 1967, with RCA Astro Electronics, she earned an International reputation when she invented the Dual Thrust Level Monopropellant Spacecraft Propulsion System, (Patent# 3,807,657). Her development of a more efficient rocket thruster keeps satellites orbiting more stable, allows satellites to carry less fuel, more equipment and to stay in space longer, became an industry standard in space exploration and utilization. Working for NASA, she contributed to the propulsion systems of the first weather satellite Tiros, Nova rocket designs used in American moon missions, the Mars Observer Satellite and developed the rocket motor for the Space Shuttle. In 2001, she was awarded the NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal, was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2010 and was presented the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2011. She died of cancer at age 88.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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