Born: 16 May 1925, United States
Died: 25 December 2018
Country most active: United States
Also known as: NA
Astronomer Nancy Grace Roman was the first women executive at the US’s National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She is known as the “Mother of Hubble” for her contributions in establishing the Hubble Space Telescope, and was an outspoken advocate for women in the sciences throughout her career.
Although Roman showed interest and talent in the sciences from an early age, like so many women she was discouraged by teachers at all levels who thought women shouldn’t study science. Despite this, Roman earned a Bachelor’s degree in astronomy from Swarthmore College in 1946, and finished her PhD in astronomy at the University of Chicago in 1949, where she stayed on for six years working as a researcher and instructor, eventually leaving because of the limited opportunities for women.
Roman worked at the Naval Research Laboratory before being hired by newly formed NASA in 1959 to build the organization’s astronomy program. Roman worked at NASA for 21 years, then worked as a consultant for companies contracted with NASA. She fully retired in 1997, and began extensive volunteer work, such as leading science programs in underserved Washington, D.C. schools.
Roman discovered the first clues to the evolution of the Milky Way galaxy, mapped the sky and helped improve the accuracy of measurements of the distance of the moon. Roman led a NASA program that launched more than 20 satellites and 3 orbiting solar observatories. She laid the early groundwork for the Hubble Space Telescope, creating the program’s structure, recruiting astronomers, and lobbying Congress for funding. Her many awards and honors include The Federal Woman’s Award (1962), NASA’s Exceptional Scientific Achievement Award (1969), and a NASA fellowship in astrophysics is named in her honor.