Eleanor C. Pressly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eleanor C. Pressly
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in 1964
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| Born | 1918 Due West, South Carolina, US
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| Died | (aged 84) Rockville, Maryland, US
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | mathematician, aeronautical engineer |
| Known for | sounding rocket program, Goddard Space Flight Center |
Eleanor Crockett Pressly (born in 1918, died in 2003) was a very smart American mathematician and engineer. She worked for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Eleanor helped design and launch special rockets called "sounding rockets." These rockets flew high into Earth's atmosphere to study space.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Eleanor was born in Due West, South Carolina. She was the only child in her family. She loved learning and went to college. In 1938, she earned her first degree from Erskine College. Later, in 1943, she got a master's degree in mathematics from Duke University.
A Career in Rockets and Space
During World War II, Eleanor taught math to students training for the air force. She also worked at a special lab at Harvard University. After the war, she became a mathematician and engineer. She worked at the United States Naval Research Laboratory. She was also part of the American Rocket Society.
Eleanor helped oversee rocket launches. She traveled to places like White Sands Missile Range and Churchill Rocket Research Range. She once said, "No matter how many times it happens, I can never get over the excitement of a launching!"
Joining NASA
In 1958, Eleanor joined the new Goddard Space Flight Center at NASA. She became a leader in the team that launched sounding rockets. These rockets explored the upper atmosphere.
Eleanor helped create several important sounding rockets:
- The Aerobee Jr.
- The Aerobee-Hi 150 (which she co-developed)
- The Aerobee Hi 150 A
These rockets were very important during the International Geophysical Year (1957–1958). This was a time when scientists from around the world worked together to study Earth and space.
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Awards and Recognition
Eleanor's hard work at NASA was noticed. In 1962, NASA's leader, James E. Webb, even mentioned her by name. He said she was one of the important women working at NASA.
In 1963, Eleanor received a special honor: the Federal Woman's Award. This award was given to women who made big contributions to their government jobs. The next year, in 1964, Lady Bird Johnson invited Eleanor to the White House. They had a special lunch to celebrate women in the space program.
Eleanor continued to be a leader. In 1966, she led a discussion at a conference about rockets. In 1981, she received another award from her old college, Erskine.
Later Life
Eleanor Pressly passed away in Rockville, Maryland, in 2003. She was 84 years old. She left behind a legacy of helping us learn more about space.
