MIT’s computer science department confirmed that Margaret Hamilton, a 90‑year‑old pioneer, died on Sept 30 after steering the software that carried astronauts to the Moon.
Hamilton began at MIT in 1959 as a meteorologist before becoming the first programmer on the Apollo Guidance Computer project in 1965. By 1968 she led a team of more than 400 developers, crafting the onboard systems that made lunar landings possible.
During Apollo 11, Hamilton’s code intervened three minutes before the Eagle lander touched down, overriding a faulty script and ensuring a safe descent. Her work earned her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016 and cemented her place in space history.
Colleagues remember her as “the first female programmer on the Apollo team” and credit her with turning fledgling software into a mission‑critical system. NASA chief Jared Isaacman posted a tribute on X, calling her a “pioneer whose work made humanity’s first lunar voyage possible.”
After her passing, the scientific community will honor Hamilton with a plaque at Kennedy Space Center. The unveiling is scheduled for mid‑November, marking the 60th anniversary of Apollo 11 and celebrating her enduring impact on aerospace engineering.