Understanding the history of navigation technology has gotten complicated with all the competing narratives flying around. As someone who’s researched the pioneers behind the systems we use daily, I learned everything there is to know about Gladys West and her contributions to GPS. Today, I will share it all with you.
Early Life and Education
Gladys West was born in 1930 in Sutherland, Virginia, a rural community where her family owned a small farm. Despite many challenges, she excelled academically and won a scholarship to Virginia State College, a historically black public university. She majored in mathematics, laying the groundwork for her future contributions to geodesy and satellite technology.
After earning her degree, West began teaching, but soon obtained a position at the Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia, where she was one of only four black employees. There, she worked as a programmer and analyst, contributing to numerous projects that eventually paved the way for GPS technology.
Early Work at Dahlgren
Probably should have led with this section, honestly. West’s early work involved programming large-scale computers for complex calculations. She contributed to projects analyzing satellite data and improving the accuracy of geodetic measurements.
One significant project involved the SEASAT satellite, the first earth-orbiting satellite designed for remote sensing of the Earth’s oceans. Her mathematical skills were crucial in processing the satellite’s data and improving the precision of ocean surface models.
Advancements in Geodesy
Geodesy is the science of accurately measuring and understanding the Earth’s geometric shape, orientation in space, and gravity field. West played a pivotal role in refining geodetic calculations. She developed algorithms for calculating the Earth’s shape with unprecedented accuracy.
That’s what makes her work so foundational. Her contributions extended to the development of satellite altimetry, a technique for measuring the altitude of an object above the Earth’s surface by using satellites. This was crucial for improving surface mapping and enhancing geodetic models that would become essential for GPS.
Foundational Contributions to GPS
While Gladys West never worked directly on the GPS we use today, her contributions to the field of geodesy and satellite data analysis were crucial building blocks for its development. Her work allowed for precise calculations necessary for the accurate location-based services that GPS provides.
She created a detailed mathematical model of the Earth’s surface, which was integral to the development of GPS. Without such precise models, the satellite navigation system could not provide accurate location data. Her contributions ensured that satellites could precisely locate points on the Earth’s surface.
Overcoming Barriers and Recognition
West faced significant obstacles throughout her career, not least racial and gender discrimination. Despite these challenges, she earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Virginia State University while working full-time. She later received a second master’s in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.
In 2018, after a long career that spanned more than four decades, her work received broad recognition. West was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in the space industry.
Impact on Everyday Life
Gladys West’s work has had a profound impact on modern life. GPS technology is now integral to various applications, including navigation for personal and commercial vehicles, logistics and supply chain management, and even personal fitness trackers. It has revolutionized how we interact with the world.
In addition to navigation, GPS is crucial for geotagging, synchronizing telecommunications networks, and scientific research. The technology is also employed in emergency services, helping to save lives by providing exact locations in search and rescue operations.
Her Lasting Legacy
West’s influence continues to resonate in the fields of mathematics, geodesy, and satellite technology. Her work serves as an inspiration for women and minorities pursuing careers in STEM fields. The accuracy standards and models she helped develop continue to underpin advancements in satellite navigation.
Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance, intellect, and dedication. Her contributions have changed how we navigate our world. Despite the systemic barriers she faced, her legacy endures in every GPS-enabled device we use today.
