NASA’s African American History: From Hidden Figures to Artemis

From nearly all-white beginnings, the agency is set to put the first woman and person of color on the moon.

Friday, February 18, 2022 at 09:18 AM ET

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NASA research mathematician Katherine Johnson, left, in 1962, and Artemis astronaut Stephanie Wilson in 2007. [Courtesy: NASA]

Key Takeaways:

NASA's Artemis program aims to make history by sending the first woman and person of color to the moon, signifying a major step in the agency's ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The article highlights the historical struggle for African Americans in space exploration, celebrating pioneers like "Hidden Figures" Mary W. Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Dorothy Vaughan, as well as trailblazing astronauts such as Charles F. Bolden Jr., Guion Bluford, and Dr. Mae Jemison.
NASA has implemented various initiatives, including an Equal Opportunity office, partnerships with HBCUs, Mission STEM, and Mission Equity, to actively recruit and create pipelines for a more diverse workforce, though challenges and the need for continued action remain.

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Editor’s Note: This article is part of a month-long series celebrating Black History Month through aviation: Feb. 1: African American Pioneers in Flight and Space | Feb. 4: Legacy Flying Academy | Feb. 10: Why Aren’t There More Black Pilots in the Air Force? | Feb. 11: Jesse L. Brown | Feb. 15: Meet Four African Americans Making a Difference in Aviation | Feb. 18: From “Hidden Figures” to “Artemis” | Feb. 22: Black Heritage Aviation | Feb. 25: Cal Poly Humboldt

As soon as 2025, NASA is planning to send human explorers to the moon for the first time in more than half a century. Among those astronauts setting foot on the lunar surface will be a woman and a person of color.