Tag Archives: gladys west
Gladys West, the Mathematician Behind GPS, Is Dead at 95
Jan 27, 2026 at 10:18 AM
By Nyang’au Araka and Agencies Gladys West, a pioneering mathematician whose contributions helped make modern GPS possible, has passed away at 95, surrounded by family and friends. West’s mathematical models of the Earth’s shape became a critical foundation for satellite navigation, allowing precise positioning anywhere on the globe. Her work helps guide everything from airplanes […]