Margaret Hamilton (1936‑2026), the trailblazing software engineer whose code helped Apollo 11 reach the Moon, died on 30 September at 90. For 15 years at MIT she led the Software Engineering Division and created the "priority‑driven" system that cut non‑essential tasks when the lunar module’s computer overloaded—an essential safeguard that kept the astronauts safely on course.
Her work effectively coined the term "software engineering" and set standards that still influence mission‑critical systems today. In 2016 President Barack Obama awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, citing her as a symbol of the unsung women who propelled humanity into space.
Born in Indiana, Hamilton earned a mathematics degree from Earlham College before moving to Boston. After her MIT career she founded Hamilton Technologies, paving the way for a new generation of software developers. Her passing is mourned by MIT, Earlham College, and her family—daughter, son‑in‑law, two grandchildren and four great‑grandchildren—all of whom remember her pioneering spirit and lasting impact.
