@kagamelashley: Long before smartphone navigation, brilliant mathematician Gladys West was quietly mapping the foundation for the tech we rely on every single day. 📍✨ ​Through her groundbreaking work, West used complex algorithms to create insanely accurate models of the Earth’s surface and gravitational fields—a mathematical shape known as the geoid. 🌐 ​Her extensive research on radar altimetry projects, including Seasat and GEOSAT, allowed scientists to track satellite positions with pinpoint precision. While the U.S. Department of Defense developed the overall Global Positioning System, her precise geodetic models were essential to calibrating the system and making modern GPS navigation a reality. 🛰️📱 ​💭 How often do you rely on GPS to navigate your daily life? ​Sources: U.S. Air Force historical records, scientific archives. ​#theblazwire #GladysWest #History #ScienceNews #GPS