This cache is part of the “Women In History” cache series started by cacher Meandmydogs
***The Cache is not at the posted coordinates***
Gladys Mae West (born 1930) is an American mathematician known for her contributions to the mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth, and was one of the team of mathematicians who worked on the development of the satellite geodesy models that were eventually incorporated into the Global Positioning System.West was inducted into the United States Air Force Hall of Fame in 2018.
In 1956 West began to work at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, where she was the second black woman ever to be employed. She participated in an astronomical study that proved, during the early 1960s, the regularity of Pluto’s motion relative to Neptune.
Subsequently, West began to analyze data from satellites, putting together altimeter models of the Earth's shape. Her supervisor Ralph Neiman recommended her as project manager for the Seasat radar altimetry project, the first satellite that could remotely sense oceans.In 1979, Neiman recommended West for commendation.West was a programmer in the Dahlgren Division for large-scale computers and a project manager for data-processing systems used in the analysis of satellite data.
In 1986, West published "Data Processing System Specifications for the Geosat Satellite Radar Altimeter", a 51-page technical report from The Naval Surface Weapons Center (NSWC). The guide was published to explain how to increase the accuracy of the estimation of "geoid heights and vertical deflection", topics of satellite geodesy.This was achieved by processing the data created from the radio altimeter on the Geosat satellite which went into orbit on 12 March 1984.She worked at Dahlgren for 42 years, retiring in 1998.
Capt. Godfrey Weekes, then-commanding officer at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, described the role played by West in the development of Global Positioning System: "She rose through the ranks, worked on the satellite geodesy and contributed to the accuracy of GPS and the measurement of satellite data."
Answer the following questions to complete the coordinates
N 42 48. ABC
W 071 33.DEF
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The Geosat satellite went into orbit on 12 March 198A.
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West began to work at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in 19XX . XX-7 =BC
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In 1D86, West published "Data Processing System Specifications for the Geosat Satellite Radar Altimeter"
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Dr. West worked for Dahlgren for ZZ years. ZZ-1 = EF
