February 1st, 2021

Inspired by watching her father fix television sets and develop pictures, Valerie Thomas developed a fascination with how mechanical things could create a picture. Thomas didn’t know it at the time, but she was studying optics at an early age.

Thomas graduated with a degree in Physics from Morgan State University in 1964, where she went on to work as a data analyst at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. She had to learn on the job- Thomas was tasked to work with computers, yet had never seen one prior to her job. But she was never afraid of challenges, and was willing to do what it took to excel.

Thomas oversaw the creation of Landsat, the first satellite to take images of Earth from space. She also led a team of scientists in the Space Physics Analysis Network (SPAN), which eventually became a part of today’s Internet.

In 1980, Thomas invented the Illusion Transmitter, which creates 3D images. NASA uses this patent today in devices used for surgeries and television.

Thomas retired from NASA in 1995, and currently teaches high school students to build a passion for science.

Valerie Thomas Interview: