Gladys West died January 17 at age 95, leaving an extraordinary legacy in mathematics and geodesy.
Here’s my portrait and bio 👩🏾🔬🧪🐡
Here’s my portrait and bio 👩🏾🔬🧪🐡
For #BlackHistoryMonth: mathematician & geodesist Gladys West (née Brown 1930)! 🐡🧪👩🏾🔬🧮⚒️ #histsci Shown with satellite tracks & 3 satellites important to her career: Seasat, GEOS-3 & a GPS satellite. Her work, using math to precisely model the shape of Earth, laid the groundwork for GPS! 🧵1/n
January 19, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Gladys West died January 17 at age 95, leaving an extraordinary legacy in mathematics and geodesy.
Here’s my portrait and bio 👩🏾🔬🧪🐡
Here’s my portrait and bio 👩🏾🔬🧪🐡
Happy Black History Month
Dr. Gladys West (1930-2024) helped innovate the Global Positioning System through her calculations on the shape of the Earth and the satellite-observation-based geodesy models.
#BlackHistoryMonth #EarthScience
Dr. Gladys West (1930-2024) helped innovate the Global Positioning System through her calculations on the shape of the Earth and the satellite-observation-based geodesy models.
#BlackHistoryMonth #EarthScience
February 4, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Happy Black History Month
Dr. Gladys West (1930-2024) helped innovate the Global Positioning System through her calculations on the shape of the Earth and the satellite-observation-based geodesy models.
#BlackHistoryMonth #EarthScience
Dr. Gladys West (1930-2024) helped innovate the Global Positioning System through her calculations on the shape of the Earth and the satellite-observation-based geodesy models.
#BlackHistoryMonth #EarthScience
Geodesy, more like geodeez nuts
August 30, 2023 at 7:37 PM
Geodesy, more like geodeez nuts
West was also manager for the radar altimetry data processing project for Seasat, the first satellite designed to collect oceanographic data. #geodesy ⚒️🧪
October 27, 1930, birthday of American mathematician and computer programmer Gladys Mae West.
She created an accurate model of the Earth's shape, and her work on satellite geodesic modelling laid the foundations for GPS technology 🛰️🌐
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_...
She created an accurate model of the Earth's shape, and her work on satellite geodesic modelling laid the foundations for GPS technology 🛰️🌐
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gladys_...
October 28, 2025 at 1:22 AM
West was also manager for the radar altimetry data processing project for Seasat, the first satellite designed to collect oceanographic data. #geodesy ⚒️🧪
I joke, but I kinda regret that I didn’t learn about maps and surveying until well after college when I thought myself GIS. I find geodesy incredibly fascinating.
February 1, 2026 at 1:41 AM
I joke, but I kinda regret that I didn’t learn about maps and surveying until well after college when I thought myself GIS. I find geodesy incredibly fascinating.
Do you like your GPS? Check out Gladys West, an exceptional mathematician who developed the mathematical model of the earth and satellite geodesy models that would be the core of GPS systems, as well as the first satellites that could remotely detect oceans!
Gladys West - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 2, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Do you like your GPS? Check out Gladys West, an exceptional mathematician who developed the mathematical model of the earth and satellite geodesy models that would be the core of GPS systems, as well as the first satellites that could remotely detect oceans!
Paid summer internships in #geodesy! This year, the MSU Undergraduate Summer Geodesy Internship program is looking for students with prior experience in geophysics, programming, and/or higher mathematics (geodesy experience not required). More info below. Apply by Feb. 15. ⚒️🧪 bit.ly/4quoUrt
MSU Summer Geodesy Internships
2026 Michigan State University Undergraduate Summer Geodesy Internships
bit.ly
January 19, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Paid summer internships in #geodesy! This year, the MSU Undergraduate Summer Geodesy Internship program is looking for students with prior experience in geophysics, programming, and/or higher mathematics (geodesy experience not required). More info below. Apply by Feb. 15. ⚒️🧪 bit.ly/4quoUrt
If you, your family, and your friends use GPS, thank her.
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 (GPS).
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 (GPS).
No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology
She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.
www.nature.com
February 6, 2026 at 3:03 PM
If you, your family, and your friends use GPS, thank her.
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 (GPS).
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 (GPS).
And she'll be talking about it at the AGU Geodesy Early Career webinar on March 24 at 1pm EDT! More details here:
connect.agu.org/geodesy/webi...
connect.agu.org/geodesy/webi...
March 16, 2025 at 5:03 PM
And she'll be talking about it at the AGU Geodesy Early Career webinar on March 24 at 1pm EDT! More details here:
connect.agu.org/geodesy/webi...
connect.agu.org/geodesy/webi...
More NISAR launch coverage and info about the launch itself this Wednesday
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
www.nasa.gov/news-release...
NASA Sets Launch Coverage for Earth-Tracking NISAR Satellite - NASA
NASA will provide live coverage of launch activities for NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), which is set to lift off at 8:10 a.m. EDT (5:40 p.m.
www.nasa.gov
July 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
2) and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, which were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). Her childhood, contributions and career can be read online. Another Black History moment that will be cherished always.
February 18, 2026 at 7:51 AM
2) and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models, which were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS). Her childhood, contributions and career can be read online. Another Black History moment that will be cherished always.
Okay, I couldn't resist. So I created a geodesy starter pack. We are very little in number here on bluesky so if you are doing anything related to geodesy, lmk! Also I'm 100% sure that I missed some people who are already here, just drop a reply to remind me :)
go.bsky.app/Rk24Vii
go.bsky.app/Rk24Vii
November 11, 2024 at 10:12 AM
Okay, I couldn't resist. So I created a geodesy starter pack. We are very little in number here on bluesky so if you are doing anything related to geodesy, lmk! Also I'm 100% sure that I missed some people who are already here, just drop a reply to remind me :)
go.bsky.app/Rk24Vii
go.bsky.app/Rk24Vii
The earth is flat. It’s insulting that you are trying to test my knowledge of geodesy
The purest distillation of the Trump School of Economic Thought.
March 12, 2025 at 9:12 PM
The earth is flat. It’s insulting that you are trying to test my knowledge of geodesy
During today's #EGU25 plenary meeting the new @egu.eu division presidents were inaugurated. I am glad to hand over the Geodesy Division (@g.egu.eu) to Roelof Rietbroek (@drstrawpants.wobbly.earth) into the absolutely best of hands. 🙂 Roelof, have fun & good luck! This will be great!
#EGU25_G
#EGU25_G
April 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
During today's #EGU25 plenary meeting the new @egu.eu division presidents were inaugurated. I am glad to hand over the Geodesy Division (@g.egu.eu) to Roelof Rietbroek (@drstrawpants.wobbly.earth) into the absolutely best of hands. 🙂 Roelof, have fun & good luck! This will be great!
#EGU25_G
#EGU25_G
i mean timekeeping and geodesy you degenerates
March 17, 2026 at 10:07 PM
i mean timekeeping and geodesy you degenerates
When I was teaching geodesy I delighted in pointing out how this ubiquitous technology relied on special and general relativity for the most precise positioning.
April 23, 2026 at 1:15 PM
When I was teaching geodesy I delighted in pointing out how this ubiquitous technology relied on special and general relativity for the most precise positioning.
Exciting news: EGU (@eurogeosciences.bsky.social) and the EGU Geodesy Division are now also active on Bluesky!
Just moved! 👋
Follow us to get all your #EGU_geodesy news, including new blog posts and updates during #EGU25.
Follow us to get all your #EGU_geodesy news, including new blog posts and updates during #EGU25.
Hello Bluesky! EGU is pleased to be able to activate our account here, and share all the exciting news about the upcoming General Assembly: #EGU25, our #OpenAccess publications and more! Several of our Divisions will be making the move over from Twitter/X too, so keep an eye out for your favourites!
March 3, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Exciting news: EGU (@eurogeosciences.bsky.social) and the EGU Geodesy Division are now also active on Bluesky!
A giant of modern #geodesy. ⚒️
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Dr. Gladys West, Mathematician Whose Work Made GPS Possible, Dies at 95
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She passed away
thezebra.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:27 PM
A giant of modern #geodesy. ⚒️
Hi geodesy people, @g.egu.eu is here on bluesky!
Just moved! 👋
Follow us to get all your #EGU_geodesy news, including new blog posts and updates during #EGU25.
Follow us to get all your #EGU_geodesy news, including new blog posts and updates during #EGU25.
Hello Bluesky! EGU is pleased to be able to activate our account here, and share all the exciting news about the upcoming General Assembly: #EGU25, our #OpenAccess publications and more! Several of our Divisions will be making the move over from Twitter/X too, so keep an eye out for your favourites!
March 3, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Hi geodesy people, @g.egu.eu is here on bluesky!
🌍 How can We measure the World? 🔵
📍Geodesy - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodesy
📍Struve Geodetic Arc - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struve_...
🤖 AI pic
-
#geodesy #geography #science
📍Geodesy - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodesy
📍Struve Geodetic Arc - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struve_...
🤖 AI pic
-
#geodesy #geography #science
June 26, 2026 at 6:08 AM
🌍 How can We measure the World? 🔵
📍Geodesy - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodesy
📍Struve Geodetic Arc - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struve_...
🤖 AI pic
-
#geodesy #geography #science
📍Geodesy - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geodesy
📍Struve Geodetic Arc - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Struve_...
🤖 AI pic
-
#geodesy #geography #science
Fischer was the first woman at her agency to win the Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
Her structural equations laid the foundation for the World Geodetic System, which engineers later used to build the satellite network powering modern smartphone GPS. Born #OTD in 1907.
#WomenInSTEM #geodesy
Her structural equations laid the foundation for the World Geodetic System, which engineers later used to build the satellite network powering modern smartphone GPS. Born #OTD in 1907.
#WomenInSTEM #geodesy
July 27, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Fischer was the first woman at her agency to win the Distinguished Civilian Service Award.
Her structural equations laid the foundation for the World Geodetic System, which engineers later used to build the satellite network powering modern smartphone GPS. Born #OTD in 1907.
#WomenInSTEM #geodesy
Her structural equations laid the foundation for the World Geodetic System, which engineers later used to build the satellite network powering modern smartphone GPS. Born #OTD in 1907.
#WomenInSTEM #geodesy
Paid summer internships in geodesy! Know of an undergraduate student who might be interested in learning more about geodesy? Let them know about MSU's new summer geodesy internship program. We have funding for multiple interns next summer. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025.
bit.ly/3CKbZ0O
bit.ly/3CKbZ0O
Summer Geodesy Internships
Multiple Paid Internships in Geodesy Available for Undergraduate Students during Summer 2025 at Michigan State University!
What is Geodesy?
bit.ly
November 25, 2024 at 9:35 PM
Paid summer internships in geodesy! Know of an undergraduate student who might be interested in learning more about geodesy? Let them know about MSU's new summer geodesy internship program. We have funding for multiple interns next summer. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025.
bit.ly/3CKbZ0O
bit.ly/3CKbZ0O
What a career! Geodesy is the science of determining the shape of the earth. Precise Orbit Determination requires an accurate geoid model of the gravitational field of the 🌍 . (Can be shape or density fluctuations.)
Dr West pioneered both POD & active radar measurements of ocean heights from space
Dr West pioneered both POD & active radar measurements of ocean heights from space
Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She was 95.
Dr. Gladys West, Mathematician Whose Work Made GPS Possible, Dies at 95
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Dr. Gladys West, the pioneering mathematician whose work laid the foundation for modern GPS technology, has died. She passed away
thezebra.org
January 20, 2026 at 2:19 AM
What a career! Geodesy is the science of determining the shape of the earth. Precise Orbit Determination requires an accurate geoid model of the gravitational field of the 🌍 . (Can be shape or density fluctuations.)
Dr West pioneered both POD & active radar measurements of ocean heights from space
Dr West pioneered both POD & active radar measurements of ocean heights from space
I am hiring 4 postdoctoral researchers for up to 4 years each. Topics include ice sheet reconstruction, GIA, spatial stats, and satellite geodesy. Based in Tasmania.
All details are here: careers.utas.edu.au/en/listing/ with titles below
I am also recruiting multiple PhD students (see below)
1/n
All details are here: careers.utas.edu.au/en/listing/ with titles below
I am also recruiting multiple PhD students (see below)
1/n
Current Vacancies
careers.utas.edu.au
November 13, 2025 at 3:04 AM
I am hiring 4 postdoctoral researchers for up to 4 years each. Topics include ice sheet reconstruction, GIA, spatial stats, and satellite geodesy. Based in Tasmania.
All details are here: careers.utas.edu.au/en/listing/ with titles below
I am also recruiting multiple PhD students (see below)
1/n
All details are here: careers.utas.edu.au/en/listing/ with titles below
I am also recruiting multiple PhD students (see below)
1/n
My friend’s geodesy/groundwater models get different uncertainty results based on which type of CPU chip he runs them on….
January 30, 2026 at 3:37 PM
My friend’s geodesy/groundwater models get different uncertainty results based on which type of CPU chip he runs them on….