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 land the first woman and person of color on the moon, signaling a public commitment to diversity in future space exploration.
The agency has a complex history, overcoming segregation and discrimination faced by early African American pioneers like the "Hidden Figures" (Mary W. Jackson, Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan), who made critical contributions despite systemic barriers.
Influential Black astronauts, including Guion Bluford (first Black man in space), Dr. Mae Jemison (first Black woman in space), and Charles F. Bolden Jr. (first African-American NASA administrator), have broken significant racial barriers.
NASA continues its efforts to increase diversity and inclusion through initiatives like Mission Equity and creating STEM pipelines, recognizing that fostering a diverse workforce is crucial for its strength and future success.

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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.