Nancy Grace Roman

American astronomer, NASA's first Chief of Astronomy (through the 1960s and 1970s) and its first female executive. She created NASA's space-astronomy program and is known as the 'Mother of Hubble' for her foundational role in planning it.

She turned space astronomy from an idea into a NASA program, and her planning became the Hubble Space Telescope. In May 2020 NASA named its next great survey telescope after her - the recognition of a career that also opened the field to generations of women in science.

Built on the stellar astronomy of the University of Chicago and Yerkes, where she studied under W. W. Morgan. Enabled Hubble (which she planned) and, by her example and advocacy, women in space science; the Roman Space Telescope now carries her name.