Some people are born in West Virginia and others have strong ties to the state but both have contributed to space exploration.
Katherine Johnson:
Born: White Sulfur Springs, W.V.
A graduate of West Virginia Colored Institute (now West Virginia State University) she began working at NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) in 1953. The NACA officially turned over operations to NASA on October 1, 1958. She worked at the agency until 1986 ending 33 years of service as a mathematician winning several NASA awards.
John Nash
Born: Bluefield, W.V.
He attended Carnegie Institute and later Princeton University where he began working on his equilibrium theory. Later, he worked at MIT in the mathematics faculty. He is the only person who has been awarded both the Economic Sciences Prize and the Abel Prize. John Nash was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia in 1959 and has spoken openly about mental illness.
John McBride
Born: Charleston, W.V.
The first West Virginia to go to space. Selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in January 1978, McBride became an astronaut in August 1979. He piloted the Space Shuttle Challenger on the STS-41-G mission in 1984. He attended West Virginia University.
Homer Hickam:
Born: Coalwood, W.V.
After serving in the U.S. Army ranked as Captain, his employment with NASA began in 1981 as an aerospace engineer. A few of his specialties included training astronauts in regards to payloads and EVA Extravehicular activities and more.
Sharon Hagle
Born: Charleston, W.V.
Sharon and her husband Marc, made history as the first married couple to launch into space on a commercial vehicle. She was the only female on Blue Origin New Shepard NS-20, Crew 4 launched on March 31, 2022. Hagle's upcoming flight to space is scheduled for fall of 2024 making them the only married couple to ever return to space. She founded SpaceKids Global a non-profit whose mission is to inspire elementary students in STEAM+ Environment education ensuring girls are equally represented in the space industry.
People who have strong ties to the State of West Virginia;
NASA Astronaut Charles "Charlie" Duke, spent part of his childhood in West Virginia
NASA Astronaut David A. Wolf speaks about West Virginia University fostering his
interest in science and engineering.
And the many mountaineers who work across the country both in government and private space companies building the rockets that make our dreams come true.
These individuals exemplify the spirit of exploration and innovation that West Virginia embodies, reminding us that the quest for knowledge and adventure can arise from even the most unexpected places. Their stories inspire future generations and bring the possibility of space to kids everywhere!
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