Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to 'Hidden Figures'

The Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Christine Darden, and all women who worked as mathematicians, engineers, and 'human computers' in the U.S. space program from the 1930s to 1970s, recognizing their contributions to the space race. NASA's Rob Gutro, poised to retire in October 2024, has had a diverse career journey, including roles in radio, the USDA, and NOAA, before becoming the deputy news chief at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson recently returned from a six-month ISS mission where she conducted critical experiments on cardiovascular tissue biofabrication and respiratory system simulations, contributing to advancements in medical technology and future space missions.