Valerie Thomas, in full Valerie LaVerne Thomas, (born February 8, 1943, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.), American scientist and inventor who, while working at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), invented a way to transmit three-dimensional images, or holograms, that appear to be real. In addition, she helped to develop processing software to convert scientific data captured by satellites into information that scientists could use. From an early age, Thomas was interested in electronics, mathematics, and physics despite the fact that girls were not encouraged to study those subjects. Moreover, because she was an African American in a racially segregated society,
This NASA scientist changed the way we see satellite images of Earth
Dr. Valerie L. Thomas is known for her role in developing Landsat image processing data systems
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Dr. Valerie L. Thomas in 1979 standing with a stack of early Landsat Computer Compatible Tapes and Dr. Valerie L. Thomas today (NASA)
When you think of pioneering Black female aerospace workers, the 2016 film, “Hidden Figures” comes to mind. It showcases how Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Johnson played a pivotal role at NASA. They weren’t the only ones paving the way.
Dr. Valerie L. Thomas accomplished a lot in her lifetime and during her career at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, but she didn’t always have the resources she needed to learn more about technology growing up.