Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars

Rise of the Rocket Girls chronicles the true story of the women who worked as human computers at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from the 1940s to the present day. These mathematicians performed critical calculations by hand and later with early computers, enabling America's first satellites, lunar missions, and deep space exploration. The book follows key figures like Macie Roberts, Helen Ling, and Barbara Paulson through their careers at JPL, documenting both their professional achievements and personal lives during decades of space race innovation. Their work evolved from calculating rocket trajectories with pencil and paper to programming the first IBM computers, adapting as technology transformed their field. The narrative traces the progression of America's space program through the experiences of these women, showing how their roles shifted from computers to engineers and managers as opportunities expanded. Through interviews with surviving members and extensive research, Holt reconstructs daily life at JPL and captures the workplace dynamics of this unique period. This history illuminates broader themes about women in STEM fields, institutional barriers, and the intersection of gender and scientific advancement in mid-century America. The book restores these pioneering technologists to their rightful place in the story of space exploration.

Readers appreciate the spotlight on women's contributions to NASA/JPL and the personal stories that bring these scientists to life. Many note the book fills gaps in space program history and connects to current discussions about women in STEM. Likes: - Details of daily life and workplace challenges - Photos and documentation of the era - Focus on lesser-known contributors to space exploration - Clear explanations of technical concepts Dislikes: - Writing style can feel repetitive - Some readers found the many characters hard to track - Timeline jumps create confusion - Technical details overwhelm the narrative in places Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (8,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (850+ ratings) Sample reader comment: "The human side of the space race. These women weren't just doing calculations - they were solving problems no one had tackled before." - Goodreads reviewer Critical comment: "Too many names and dates thrown at the reader without enough narrative thread to hold it together." - Amazon reviewer

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly The story of African American women mathematicians who worked at NASA during the Space Race demonstrates the parallel struggles and accomplishments of women computers in America's aerospace program.

Code Girls by Liza Mundy This account of American women code breakers during World War II reveals another chapter of unsung female mathematicians who changed the course of history through their technical expertise.

The Glass Universe by Dava Sobel The tale of women who worked at the Harvard College Observatory analyzing stellar photographs shows the crucial role of female computers in astronomical discoveries.

Broad Band by Claire L. Evans The history of women who shaped the internet and computer programming illustrates the continuing legacy of female technical pioneers from the rocket age into the digital era.

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren A geobiologist's memoir provides insight into the experience of women breaking barriers in science laboratories from the perspective of a modern researcher carrying forward the legacy of earlier pioneers.

🚀 Many of the women who worked as "computers" at JPL began their careers as teenagers, some joining straight out of high school during WWII. 📊 Before electronic computers became widespread, these women performed complex mathematical calculations by hand, using mechanical calculators and slide rules to plot rocket trajectories. 👩‍🔬 Barbara Paulson, one of the original rocket girls, worked at JPL for over 50 years and helped calculate trajectories for missions including Voyager, Pioneer, and Mariner. 🌟 Author Nathalia Holt discovered this story when searching for a name for her daughter and stumbled upon Eleanor Francis Helin, a pioneering scientist at JPL who discovered hundreds of asteroids. 🎓 Unlike similar computing groups at other institutions, JPL's female computers weren't required to resign when they got married, allowing many to build long-term careers in the space program.