Last Updated: 17 Aug, 2023 | Views: 759
Age: 88
Profession: Scientist
Other Profession(s): Computer scientist, Business Owner
Famous For: An American computer Scientist, Systems Engineer
Higher Education: BA in Mathematics with a Minor in Philosophy
About (Profile/Biography):
Margaret Elaine Hamilton, a known scientist, was born on August 17, 1936. Margaret Hamilton is often credited as one of the pioneers of software engineering. Hamilton played a crucial role in the Apollo space program, specifically in developing the software for the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC). She led a team at the MIT Instrumentation Laboratory that developed the software responsible for controlling and navigating the Apollo spacecraft.
Margaret Hamilton Education:
• Astronomy: From National University of La Plata
Margaret Hamilton career:
Margaret Hamilton Coining the Term "Software Engineering":
• Margaret Elaine Hamilton used this term in a 1968 conference on software engineering, helping to establish it as a distinct field of study.
Margaret Hamilton Error Detection and Recovery:
• Hamilton's work on the Apollo software included a strong focus on error detection and recovery mechanisms.
• She developed innovative techniques for error handling and prioritizing critical tasks, ensuring the system could handle unexpected situations during space missions.
Margaret Hamilton Priority Task Scheduling:
• Hamilton introduced the concept of "priority scheduling" in software systems.
• This approach was essential for the Apollo missions, where tasks had varying degrees of importance and time sensitivity.
Margaret Hamilton Apollo 11 Mission:
• During the Apollo 11 mission, when the lunar module encountered an unexpected alarm condition, it was Hamilton's error detection and recovery software that helped avert a potential abort of the mission.
• Her software successfully identified and resolved the issue, allowing the mission to proceed.
Margaret Hamilton Women in STEM Advocacy:
• Margaret Hamilton is a strong advocate for women in STEM fields.
Margaret Hamilton Awards:
• 1986: Augusta Ada Lovelace Award
• 2003: NASA Exceptional Space Act Award
• 2016: Presidential Medal of Freedom
• 2018: An honorary doctorate degree
• 2022: National Aviation Hall of Fame