About Aprille

Quick Facts
Full Name: Aprille Joy Ericsson-Jackson
Born: Brooklyn, New York - April 1st, 1963
Best Known For: Designing spacecraft and instruments that help keep satellites on course

Dr. Aprille Ericsson's love of aeronautics was sparked in Grade 1 when she watched the Apollo missions. She attended a summer science outreach program at MIT, which further enhanced her love of science. Her education developed and she gained a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering the MIT and then went on to do a master’s in engineering at Howards University. Here she gained a mechanical engineering degree and was the first African-American woman to do so.

Ericsson joined NASA after graduating from Howard University as an aerospace engineer where she contributed to projects including satellites that monitor the earth and a mission which measures the tropical rain and weather systems El Niño and La Niña. She also helped to design spacecraft and instruments that contributed to the understanding of the earth-sun connection. Ericsson went on to spent most of her engineering career at NASA at the Goddard Space Flight Centre as an aerospace engineer in the robotics department before transferring to guidance and control department in the final part of her career.

Ericsson also went on to teach mathematics and mechanical engineering at Howard University and Bowie State University.

Her achievements lead her to be recognised in the list of the Top 50 Minority Women in Science and Engineering by the National Technical Association and was awarded a Science Trailblazers award from the Black Engineers of the Year Awards.

Overall, Dr. Aprille Ericsson has left a strong legacy in the engineering world and her key achievements will resonate with engineers for many years.