Annie Easley

Computer scientist and rocket mathematician who broke barriers in energy and space technology

Annie Easley (1933-2011) revolutionized energy research and space technology as a NASA computer scientist. Her 34-year career spanned development of battery tech for hybrid vehicles and software for Centaur rocket launches.

Key achievements include:

• Creating code that analyzed alternative energy systems
• Developing Centaur rocket guidance software enabling planetary probes
• Pioneering equal employment opportunity initiatives

Easley overcame both racial and size discrimination (she was rejected from a 'perfect weight' program). Her work laid groundwork for modern hybrid car batteries and contributed to 1997's Cassini Saturn probe. She actively mentored women and minorities in STEM, embodying persistence against systemic barriers.