Gladys West was an American mathematician known for her contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, which were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System. She was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018 and was awarded the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for the development of satellite geodesy models. Her contribution to GPS went largely unrecognized publicly for decades before that induction.
Facts
Birth DateSourced to the subject's own account Death DateSourced to the subject's own account Death PlaceFredericksburg, United States 1 Notable Work Notable WorkGlobal Positioning System 1 Notable Work Notable Work BirthplaceSutherland, United States 1 BirthplaceVirginia, United States 1 Field
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1. Gladys West (Wikidata)
P570 (date of death): year
+2026-01-17T00:00:00Z
P27 (country of citizenship): United States
Q30
P20 (place of death): Fredericksburg, United States
Q492342
P19 (place of birth): Sutherland, United States
Q7649955
P19 (place of birth): Virginia, United States
Q1370
P800 (notable work): Seasat
Q257020
P800 (notable work): Global Positioning System
Q18822
P800 (notable work): orbit of Pluto
Q117034945
P800 (notable work): Geosat
Q49959
View the Source2. Gladys West (Wikipedia)
WikipediaLead section (MediaWiki plaintext extract)
was an American mathematician. She was known for her contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, which were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS).
West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018. She was awarded the Webby Lifetime Achievement Award for the development of satellite geodesy models.
Lead section, opening line
January 17, 2026
Works In: Mathematics, Lead sentence
Gladys Brown West (née Gladys Mae Brown; October 27, 1930, January 17, 2026) was an American mathematician.
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