Take Two translates the day’s headlines for Southern California, making sense of the news and cultural events that affect our lives. Produced by Southern California Public Radio and broadcast from October 2012 – June 2021. Hosted by A Martinez.
NASA scientist Claudia Alexander passed away a little over a week ago of breast cancer. She was 56.
Alexander was the project manager for the Galileo mission to Jupiter and project scientist for the Rosetta space-exploration project. Alexander was also a black woman in the the very male, white world of space science.
Nagin Cox, one of the mission leads for the Curiosity Flight Team at NASA JPL, took a look back at Alexander's legacy.
"She was part of a unique set of women that have paved the way here at NASA, as well as her university" Cox said. "[She] really set the stage for those who came after her. She didn't trumpet that very often, but she did speak of its importance. She spoke of the importance of mentoring and encouraging young men and women in science, especially those of color, but she didn't emphasize her own role."
To listen to the full interview, click the blue audio player above.