Apollo flight software pioneer Margaret Hamilton dies at 90

The short version

• Pioneering computer scientist Margaret Hamilton died on September 30 at the age of 90.[The Guardian · Hacker News]
• Hamilton directed the software engineering team at MIT's Instrumentation Lab during NASA's Apollo program, overseeing flight software development.[Hacker News]
• Her priority-driven code prevented a mission abort during Apollo 11's lunar touchdown when the onboard computer encountered an overload error.[Hacker News]
• A memorial service is planned for the spring in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[Hacker News]

Key facts

• Margaret Hamilton died on September 30 at age 90.[The Guardian · Hacker News]
• She was the first programmer and first woman hired for the Apollo project at MIT.[The Guardian · Hacker News]
• During the Apollo 11 landing, Hamilton's priority-driven software managed a 1202 computer overload error, allowing the mission to proceed.[Hacker News]
• President Barack Obama awarded Hamilton the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2016.[The Guardian · Hacker News]
• A memorial service will be held in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in the spring.[Hacker News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Margaret Hamilton, who led software development for Apollo program, dies at 90Hacker News
• Margaret Hamilton, trailblazer whose software powered Apollo 11 moon landing, dies at 90The Guardian - Science
• NASA Apollo program pioneer Margaret Hamilton diesDeutsche Welle
• Margaret Hamilton dies at 90. Her programming helped astronauts reach the moon.The Washington Post - National metered
• Margaret Hamilton, who led a software team for NASA’s Apollo program, dies at 90Associated Press
• Margaret Hamilton, who led a software team for NASA's Apollo program, dies at 90ABC News - Top Stories
• Apollo Software Pioneer Margaret Hamilton Dies at 90Slashdot