Gladys West is an American mathematician who is best known for her contribution to the development of the Global Positioning System (GPS). She was born on October 27, 1930, in Sutherland, Virginia, USA.
Education and Early Career:
West earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Virginia State University in 1952. She later attended the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California, where she earned her Master of Science degree in Mathematics in 1974.
Career in the US Navy:
West began her career as a teacher in Sussex County, Virginia. She then joined the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) in Dahlgren, Virginia, as a mathematician in 1956. She worked at the NSWC for over 40 years until her retirement in 1998.
Contribution to GPS:
GPS stands for Global Positioning System, and it is a satellite-based navigation system that allows users to determine their precise location and track their movement. The system was developed by the United States Department of Defense and became operational in 1995.
GPS works by using a network of satellites orbiting the Earth to transmit signals to GPS receivers on the ground. The GPS receiver uses these signals to calculate its own precise location, as well as the time and velocity.
The GPS system is used for a wide range of applications, including navigation for vehicles, aircraft, and ships, surveying and mapping, geocaching, and tracking wildlife. It has also become an important tool for emergency responders, search and rescue teams, and the military.
The accuracy of GPS has improved significantly over the years, and it is now possible to determine locations with an accuracy of a few meters or even centimetres. GPS has become a ubiquitous technology and has changed the way we navigate and interact with the world around us.
During her time at NSWC, West was part of a team of mathematicians who developed the mathematical model that made it possible to precisely calculate the satellite positions needed for GPS technology. Her contributions were integral to the development of GPS, which is now widely used in navigation and other applications.
Recognition:
Despite her significant contributions to GPS technology, West's work was not widely recognized until later in her career. In 2018, she was inducted into the Air Force Space and Missile Pioneers Hall of Fame, becoming the first black woman to receive this honour. She was also awarded the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award in Science and Technology in the same year.
Gladys West is married and has three children. She is an active member of her community and has been involved in various civic and church organizations throughout her life.
