GoKawiilMargaret Hamilton, Apollo software pioneer, dies at 90
Margaret Hamilton, the computer scientist who led development of the onboard flight software for NASA's Apollo missions at MIT, has died aged 90. She is widely credited with coining the term 'software engineering' and later founded companies building programming systems used in aerospace, defence and other industries.
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Hamilton's error-tolerant coding techniques helped establish software as a discipline with the same engineering rigor long applied to hardware, a shift that shaped how mission-critical systems are built today. Her career also stands as an early example of a woman leading highly technical work in a field then dominated by men, which obituary coverage frames as part of her broader legacy.
- Hamilton led the team that wrote Apollo's onboard guidance software at MIT.
- She is often credited with coining the term 'software engineering.'
- She later founded companies applying her programming methods across industries.
LEGO Saturn V Apollo Rocket Set — Celebrate Margaret Hamilton's legacy with this detailed LEGO recreation of the Saturn V rocket that carried the Apollo missions she helped guide to the Moon. It's a great way for space and tech enthusiasts to appreciate the engineering marvel her software helped bring to life. A fitting tribute piece for any desk or shelf.
See LEGO Saturn V Apollo Rocket Set on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: nature.com — Weinstock, 2026-10-15
Published there as: “Margaret Hamilton obituary: computer scientist who pioneered software engineering and helped us get to the Moon”
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