Former NASA employee argues the benefits of space exploration in book

Ed Bailey / AP

Fellow artists gather with Ella Fitzgerald after a benefit performance in New York, Feb. 13, 1990. "Hearts For Ella" concert was to benefit the American Heart Association. From left: Quincy Jones, Ella Fitzgerald, Bobby McFerrin and Lena Horne. (AP Photo/Ed Bailey)

BRUEGGEMAN / AP

Jazz vocalist Ella Fitzgerald and trumpeter Roy Eldridge pose for photographers after arriving at the airport in Hamburg, West Germany on Feb. 15, 1954 for a tour of Germany with other top jazz figures. They were scheduled to appear before German audiences on promoter/producer Norman Grayz' "Jazz at the Philharmonic." (AP Photo/Brueggeman)

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson, who started working for NASA in 1953 as a mathematician. She is now 98 and a major Hollywood movie has been made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program.

Kenneth Silver/Daily Press

In 1979 Ella Fitzgerald is presented with honors by Mayor Joseph Ritchie, left of Newport News. Dr. William Harvey, president of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), is on the right.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Photo taken during the interview with media.

Thomas Grimm / AP

Two of America's world famous jazz musicians Benny Goodman and Ella Fitzgerald perform together at an open air concert in Bad Segeberg, near Hamburg, July 25, 1982, during the International Days of Jazz festival.(AP Photo)

Kenneth Silver/Daily Press

In 1979 Ella Fitzgerald is presented with honors by Mayor Charles Wornom of Hampton and Mayor Joseph Ritchie, left of Newport News.

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

Attendees look towards the memorial bench after it was revealed during the dedication ceremony honoring the NASA pioneer and human calculator Katherine Johnson, seen left, in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Daily Press archives

Ella Fitzgerald on the "Flip Wilson Show" in 1970.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Photo taken during the interview with media.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ella Fitzgerald, ``the First Lady of Song,'' shown in March 1986 photo, died at her home in California, Saturday, June 15, 1996. Fitzgerald was 78. From left, Fitzgerald is shown with Placido Domingo, Red Buttons, Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo)

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Katherine Johnson tours the area of a new lab that was dedicated in her name at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

Ron Frehm / AP

Famed jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald performs at the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, March 30, 1971. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

Dave Bowman / Daily Press

City officials of Newport News and the U.S. Postal Service held a special program at Heritage High School to announce the 2007 Ella Fitzgerald commemorative stamp. The late singer was known as "The First Lady of Song" and a native of Newport News.

Daily Press archives

Ella Fitzgerald

Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald perforns in New York (AP photo)

Anonymous / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Famous singer Ella Fitzgerald, attending the International jazz festival in Cannes, with French poet Jean Cocteau she met in Villefranche-sur-Mer on July 11, 1958, when she came to visit Saint Pierre Chapel; he decorated on July 10. (AP Photo)

WF Wally Fung / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bandleader Count Basic has this reaction from a peck on the cheek by singing actress Diahann Carroll at a Beverly Hills banquet on Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1977 where he was honored by the National Association for Sickle Cell Disease, Inc. Ella Fitzgerald at right. Basie was honored as an ?outstanding humanitarian? at the function which raises funds to combat the blood disease. (AP Photo/Wally Fung)

BOB GALBRAITH / Associated Press

Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald sings during a July 1988 appearance at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Bob Galbraith)

Kenneth Silver/Daily Press

In 1979 Ella Fitzgerald is presented with honors by Mayor Charles Wornom of Hampton and Mayor Joseph Ritchie, left of Newport News.

MARK D. PHILLIPS / Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald, "the First Lady of Song,'' is shown in this April 1990 file photo with Tony Bennett at Radio City Music Hall in New York. (AP Photo/Mark D. Phillips)

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Katherine Johnson smiles as astronaut Yvonne Cagle greets her before a dedication of a new lab in her name at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

Chris Pizzello / Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

Janelle Monae, left, Taraji P. Henson, second right and Octavia Spencer, right, introduce Katherine Johnson, seated, the inspiration for "Hidden Figures," as they present the award for best documentary feature at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP)

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

NASA Langley unveiled a traveling exhibit featuring the history of the facility and the projects its been a part of for their 100th anniversary celebration in Richmond Thursday February 2, 2017.

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Students tour the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility before a ceremonial dedication at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

Scott Kingsley/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald performs at the 1992 Hampton Jazz Festival.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Louis Armstrong, left, makes a guest appearance as Ella Fitzgerald opens at the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, March 30, 1971. (AP Photo)

KLAUS FRINGS / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ella Fitzergerald appears on stage at "Bal Pare" a top social event in Munich, Germany on Jan. 21, 1967, during the carnival season. (AP Photo/Klaus Frings)

Chris Pizzello / AP

A passerby touches the wreath adorning the star of singer Ella Fitzgerald on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 15, 1996. Fitzgerald died on Saturday at her Beverly Hills home at the age of 78. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Dennis Tennant/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald gives one of her last public performances during the Hampton Jazz Festival on June 28, 1992.

CHRIS MARTINEZ / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali, shown holding young actress Raven-Symone, center, poses for a group photograph prior to a celebration of his 50th birthday at the Wiltern Theater in the Korea Town section of Los Angeles, February 16, 1992. At left in foreground is Ella Fitzgerald, and at right is Dustin Hoffman. (AP Photo/Chris Martinez)

FREDERIC J. BROWN / AFP/Getty Images

NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson (C) and director Ezra Edelman (R) and producer Caroline Waterlow (L), winners of Best Documentary Feature for 'O.J.: Made in America' pose in the press room during the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017, in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / FREDERIC J. BROWNFREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald is helped from a Pescara, Italy, theater by her manager, Norman Granz, after singing at a jazz festival where she performed. (1971 AP wire photo)

Douliery Olivier/ABACA PRESS

As told in the award-winning 2016 film "Hidden Figures," Katherine Johnson overcame the prejudices while working as a "human computer" at NASA to successfully launch the first Americans into space. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Obama in 2017.

Kenneth Silver/Daily Press

In 1979 Ella Fitzgerald receives a citation from Dr. William Harvey, president of Hampton Institute (now Hampton University), third from left. Also presenting honors are Mayor Joseph Ritchie, left of Newport News and Mayor Charles Wornom of Hampton.

Nancy Kaye / AP

Ella Fitzgerald is introduced by Frank Sinatra, left, and Placido Domingo at Radio City Music Hall in New York, March 16, 1986. Sinatra hosted the benefit concert for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. (AP Photo/Nancy Kaye)

Umberto Savemini / AP

American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald smiles as she walks at the fashionable Via Veneto in Rome, April 8, 1961. Ella is on a tour of Europe for a series of performances with the "Jazz At The Philharmonic" band. (AP Photo/Umberto Savemini)

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

Omar Hassan checks out the history of NASA Langley in a traveling show put together for their 100th anniversary celebration in Richmond Thursday February 2, 2017. The show will travel to various locations over the course of the year.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald performs at the Newport Jazz Festival at a concert held at the home of baseball player Jackie Robinson in Stamford, Conn., June 25, 1978. (AP Photo)

Susan Ragan / AP

Jazz legend Ella Fitzgerald, 70-year-old "First Lady of Song," belts out a number during her concert at Carnegie Hall in New York, June 26, 1988. The show was part of this year's star-studded, nine-day JVC Jazz Festival, now underway in clubs and concert halls throughout the city. (AP Photo/Susan Ragan)

Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald is joined on stage at Radio City Music Hall in New York City by singer Tonny Bennett April 27,1990. It was Fitzgeralds 73rd birthday. (AP Photo/Mark Phillips)

Associated Press

Democratic vice presidential nominee Walter Mondale and Rosalynn Carter Jimmy Carter's wife, chat with members of the Congressional Black Caucus during a dinner in Washington, Saturday, Sept. 25, 1976. From left are: Mondale; Rep. Charles Ranger, D-N.Y.; Mrs. Rangel; unidentified; singer Ella Fitzgerald. Unidentified; Mrs. Carter and Rep. Yvonne B. Burke, D-Calif. (AP Photo)

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Photo taken during the interview with media.

Anonymous / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington during news conference in Frankfurt on Jan. 28, 1966 previous to their first together performing on a German stage during a concert. (AP Photo)

AP

At the Kennedy Opera House in Washington, Nov. 7, 1979, from left: actor Henry Fonda, choreographer Martha Graham, playwright Tennessee Williams, singer Ella Fitzgerald, composer Aaron Copland and first lady Rosalynn Carter. (AP Photo)

Scott Kingsley/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald performs at the 1992 Hampton Jazz Festival.

Matt Sayles / Matt Sayles/Invision/AP

** EMBARGOED AT THE REQUEST OF THE ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS & SCIENCES FOR USE UPON CONCLUSION OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS TELECAST ** Janelle Monae, from left, Taraji P. Henson, and Octavia Spencer pose with Katherine Johnson, seated, backstage at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP)

Mark D. Phillips / AP

Ella Fitzgerald performs at Radio City Music Hall in New York on April 26, 1990. Tony Bennett arrives with cake to sing happy birthday for Ella's 73 birthday. Tony Bennett and Ella Fitzgerald sang "Always" together to close the evening at Radio City Music Hall. (AP Photo/Mark D. Phillips)

AP

American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald at London Airport, England, May 18, 1959, about to board a plane for New York after her tour of England. (AP Photo)

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

Only a small percentage of the staff have moved into their new offices at The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at NASA Langley. The $23-million 37,00 square foot building consolidates four NASA date centers into one at Langley and will be fully running by the first of the year.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Unveiling of the plaque for Katherine G. Johnson by Loretta Kelemen Dir. Center Ops. and Melvin Ferebee Acting Dir. Equal Opportunity Office.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Photo taken during the interview with media.

Judith Lowery / Daily Press

A centennial tribute for NASA Langley Research Center was held at the Ferguson Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Before the event, Rocky Alvey, left, Beth Nielson Chapman, and former astronaut Leland D. Melvin chat. Nielson Chapman is in the Songwriters Hall of Fame and wrote "This Kiss" that was performed by Faith Hill. For NASA's Summer of Innovation program, she, with the help of Director of Dyer Observatory at Vanderbilt University Rocky Alvey, wrote STEM-themed songs for students. Melvin brought her version of Ave Maria into space, and mused on how his dogs would behave if they joined him on a space mission.

Anonymous / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pianist Billy Taylor, left, turns toward singer Ella Fitzgerald at the funeral of Duke Ellington at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, May 27, 1974. (AP Photo)

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Katherine Johnson holds the ceremonial ribbon that was cut during a dedication of a new lab in her name at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

Visitors to NASA Langley's traveling display are treated to the history of the facility as well as the future Thursday February 2, 2017 in Richmond. This display shows what life on Mars might look like with living quarters and vehicles developed with the help of NASA Langley.

AP

Singer Ella Fitzgerald performing in public television special with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 1979. (AP Photo)

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

Vehicle models from the space shuttle to the newest rockets meant to take us to Mars are part of a traveling show featuring the history of NASA Langley. The trailer will make many appearances around the area during the 100th anniversary of the facility and was unveiled in Richmond Thursday February 2, 2017.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

A meeting room inside the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at NASA Langley.

Associated Press

Singer Ella Fitzgerald is escorted onto the Old Campus at Yale University in New Haven Monday, May 26, 1986 by J.Richardson Dilworth, Senior Fellow of the Yale Corporation. Fitzgerald received an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Yale at the commencement ceremonies. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

Scott Kingsley/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald performs at the 1992 Hampton Jazz Festival.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 to 1986 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program.

MONIKA GRAFF / AP

FILE - In this file photo from Thursday, Sept. 8, 1994, the late singer James Brown, known also as The Godfather of Soul, greet fans outside the famed Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. The Apollo Theater unveiled its Walk of Fame on Monday May 10, 2010, celebrating Brown, Smokey Robinson, Quincy Jones, Patti LaBelle, James Brown, Gladys Knight and the Pips, Little Richard, and Ella Fitzgerald. (AP Photo/Monika Graff, File)

AP

American President Ronald Reagan presents the National Medal of Arts to jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald at the White House, Washington, June 18, 1987. (AP Photo)

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

NASA pioneer and human calculator Katherine Johnson smiles to her family during a bench ceremony honoring her years of service in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

BOB DEAR / ASSOCIATED PRESS

American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald swings her necklace as she arrives at the Carlton Theatre in London, England, Feb. 22, 1968 to attend the premiere of the film "New Face in Hell." (AP Photo/Bob Dear)

Kenneth Silver/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald, born in Newport News, performed at the Jazz festival in 1979 and 1992.

Mark D. Phillips / AP

Ella Fitzgerald, right, sings a duet with Tony Bennett to close the evening, April 26, 1990 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Earlier in the evening Bennett arrived with a cake to help celebrate Ella's 73rd birthday. (AP Photo/Mark D. Phillips)

Frings / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Band leader Duke Ellington and his big band during his appearance on the stage at "Bal Pare", a top social event in this Bavarian capital in Munich, Jan. 21, 1967 during the carnival season. Ellington received enthusiastic applause while on the stages. The band presently tours Germany in company of singer Ella Fitzgerald. (AP Photo/Frings)

Daily Press archives

Ella Fitzgerald

RHS / AP

Fully recovered from minor surgery performed recently at a hospital in Hollywood, actress Marilyn Monroe is pictured with singer Ella Fitzgerald on November 18, 1954, at the Tiffany nightclub in Hollywood where Fitzgerald is appearing. It was Marilyn's first night out since the operation and one of her rare public appearances since she and Joe DiMaggio separated. (AP Photo)

Nancy Kaye / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Ella Fitzgerald is introduced by Frank Sinatra, left, and Placido Domingo at Radio City Music Hall in New York, March 16, 1986. Sinatra hosted the benefit concert for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. (AP Photo/Nancy Kaye)

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Photo taken during the interview with media.

Daily Press archives

Ella Fitzgerald (1970's)

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

Family member assists Katherine Johnson with her sunglasses as she arrives to a bench dedication ceremony honoring her years as a NASA pioneer being called a "human calculator" in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Katherine Johnson reacts to seeing the scissors that will cut the ceremonial ribbon during a dedication of a new lab in her name at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

Sean Ballentine/Freelance / DPMG

Mathematician Katherine Johnson's calculations helped synch NASA's Project Apollo's Lunar Lander with the moon-orbiting Command and Service Module. She also worked on the Space Shuttle and the Earth Resources Satellite, and authored or coauthored 26 research reports. She retired in 1986, after 33 years at Langley. In 2015, Katherine Johnson, then 97, was awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, America's highest civilian honor.

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

Ghana Smith poses on the memorial bench after the dedication ceremony honoring the NASA pioneer and human calculator Katherine Johnson in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Katherine Johnson smiles while taking pictures with the crowd after a dedication of a new lab in her name at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

PBS

Ella Fitzgerald helps launch another season of "Previn and the Pittsburgh" telecasts on PBS when she guest on the opening show. (1979)

AP

Singer Ella Fitzgerald, left, and pianist Billy Taylor, right, are shown during funeral services for Duke Ellington at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York, May 27, 1974. Man at center is unidentified. (AP Photo)

Daily Press archives

Ella Fitzgerald

Jonathon Gruenke / Daily Press

Katherine Johnson and other dignitaries cut a ceremonial ribbon during a dedication of a new lab in her name at NASA Langley Research Center Friday afternoon September 22, 2017. The Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility is a $23 million consolidated computer center and consolidates four of Langley's data centers and 30 servers into one energy-efficient space.

MARK PHILLIPS / ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE--Ella Fitzgerald, "the First Lady of Song," has died at her home in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday, June 15, 1996. Fitzgerald, shown in this April 1991 file photo during a performance in Radio City Music Hall in New York, was 78. (AP Photo/Julie Markes)

MARK RALSTON / AFP/Getty Images

NASA physicist Katherine Johnson (R) arrives on stage to present the Best Documentary Feature award at the 89th Oscars on February 26, 2017 in Hollywood, California. / AFP PHOTO / Mark RALSTONMARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images ** OUTS - ELSENT, FPG, CM - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE--Ella Fitzgerald, ``the First Lady of Song,'' shown in this March 1986 file photo, died at her home in California, Saturday, June 15, 1996. Fitzgerald was 78. From left, Fitzgerald is shown with Placido Domingo, Red Buttons, Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra at Radio City Music Hall in New York.(AP Photo)

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

NASA Langley unveiled a traveling exhibit featuring the history of the facility and the projects its been a part of for their 100th anniversary celebration in Richmond Thursday February 2, 2017.

Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald holds her seventh Grammy Award for top female vocalist in this May 17, 1962 photo. Van Alexander, right, president of the Hollywood chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Science presented the award. (AP Photo/File)

Scott Kingsley/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald performs at the 1992 Hampton Jazz Festival.

Jordan Strauss / Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

Katherine Johnson, the inspiration for the film, "Hidden Figures," poses in the press room at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2017, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Rene Perez / ASSOCIATED PRESS

Actress Elizabeth Taylor, left, is applauded by singer Ella Fitzgerald at the New York Friars Club tribute to Taylor as "entertainer of the year" at the Waldorf Astoria hotel, Sunday, May 22, 1983, New York. (AP Photo/Rene Perez)

AP

Singer Ella Fitzgerald performing in public television special with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, 1979. (AP Photo)

AP

Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald dons cap and gown as she prepares to participate in commencement exercises in Los Angeles, June 14, 1987. Ella received the UCLA Medal. (AP Photo)

Associated Press

Yale University President A.Bartlett Giamatti, left, and singer Ella Fitzgerald converse as they stood on the steps of Giamatti's office on the Yale University campus in New Haven Monday, May 27, 1986 following commencement ceremonies. Fitzgerald was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music by Yale at the ceremonies. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

NASA pioneer and human calculator Katherine Johnson smiles at the crowd after a bench ceremony honoring her years of service in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald performs at a concert in Stockholm, Sweden, Feb. 10, 1952. (AP Photo)

Kenneth Silver/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald 1979

PBS

A PBS special celebrates the life of Newport News native Ella Fitzgerald.

Jim Wells / ASSOCIATED PRESS

** FILE ** In this Sept. 4, 1970 file photo, Stevie Wonder sings and plays electric piano as he is accompanied by three female singers from his group on the stage of the Apollo Theater in the Harlem neighborhood of New York. N.Y. Columbia University and the Apollo Theater Foundation on Thursday, Oct. 23, 2008 announced a joint project to create an oral history of the famed Harlem theater that launched the careers of Stevie Wonder, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Smokey Robinson and other music legends. (AP Photo/Jim Wells, File)

Ron Frehm / AP

Famed jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald performs at the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, March 30, 1971. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)

Daily Press archives

Ella Fitzgerald

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

A mural inside the office area of the new Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at NASA Langley. The $23-million 37,00 square foot building consolidates four NASA date centers into one at and will be fully operational by the first of the year.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Computational Research Facility building as it is today.

Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald, performs at a concert in Stockholm in this February 10, 1952 file photo. (AP Photo/File)

Werner Kreusch / AP

Famed American jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald arrives in Berlin, Feb. 10, 1961, for a one-night performance at West Berlin's Deutschlandhalle. At Tempelhof Airport, Ella, left was greeted by another Ella, West Berlin's senator for youth and sports, Ella Kay. (AP Photo/Werner Kreusch)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Louis Armstrong, left, makes a guest appearance as Ella Fitzgerald opens at the Empire Room of the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, March 30, 1971. (AP Photo)

Scott Kingsley/Daily Press

Ella Fitzgerald performs at the 1992 Hampton Jazz Festival.

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

To kickoff NASA Langley's traveling history show astronaut Shannon Walker was on hand to sign autographs and talk about her work in Richmond Thursday February 2, 2017. The trailer will make stops throughout the year as Langley celebrates 100 years of advancing aviation.

Anonymous / ASSOCIATED PRESS

FILE- In this May 27, 1974 file photo, Ella Fitzgerald, left, and Jazz pianist Billy Taylor talk during funeral services for Jazz Composer Duke Ellington at St. John the Divine Cathedral in New York. Taylor, a jazz pianist and composer who became one of the music form's most ardent promoters through radio, television and the landmark Jazzmobile arts venture died Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010 in New York. He was 89. (AP Photo, File)

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

A view of the lobby of the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at NASA Langley which will offically open on Friday.

Dave Bowman / Daily Press

The "First Lady of Song," Ella Fitzgerald, becomes the 30th honoree in the popular Black Heritage commemorative stamp series issued by the U.S. Postal Service. The stamp was unveiled Tuesday at Heritage High School by Ivey Green and Mayor Joe Frank at Heritage High School. The late singer was born in Newport News in April 25, 1917.

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

Outside the Katherine G. Johnson Computational Research Facility at NASA Langley. The $23-million 37,00 square foot building consolidates four NASA date centers into one at Langley and will be fully operational by the first of the year.

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

The crowd surrounds and applauds NASA pioneer and human calculator Katherine Johnson, seen bottom/center, during a bench dedication ceremony honoring in Johnson and her years of service in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Associated Press

Singer Ella Fitzgerald is escorted by J.Richardson Dilworth, Senior Fellow of the Yale Corporation as she walked in the academic procession on the Yale campus in New Haven Monday, May 26, 1986. Fitzgerald was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the University during commencement ceremonies. (AP Photo/Bob Child)

Aileen Devlin / Daily Press

Evangeline Wells takes a photograph with her smart phone of the memorial plaque after it was revealed during the dedication ceremony honoring the NASA pioneer and human calculator Katherine Johnson in downtown Hampton on Friday, Aug. 26, 2016.

Mark D. Phillips / AP

Ella Fitzgerald, right, sings a duet with Tony Bennett to close the evening, April 26, 1990 at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Earlier in the evening Bennett arrived with a cake to help celebrate Ella's 73rd birthday. (AP Photo/Mark D. Phillips)

Joe Fudge / Daily Press

NASA Langley Research Center has named their new Computational Research Facility building after Katherine G. Johnson who started working for NASA in1953 as a mathematician. She is now 97 and a major Hollywood movie is being made about her life and work with Langley in the early days of the space program. Photo taken during the interview with media.

Associated Press

Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, and Frank Sinatra relax before opening September 8, 1975 at the Uris Theater in New York City. (AP Photo)

Rob Ostermaier / Daily Press

Henry Weber checks out a 3D photo of the surface of Mars inside a traveling display featuring the history and future of the NASA Langley facility in Richmond Thursday February 2, 2017.

Ron Frehm / AP

Famed jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald performs at the Empire Room at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York, March 30, 1971. (AP Photo/Ron Frehm)