I wonder if this is another story where curmudgeony dudes whine about women in SF, and where's the hard science?

Well, tough shit, there's hard science here in this alternative history of manned space exploration in the 1950s. The difference between their Artemis and our Apollo program: space exploration is more important because in 1952 a meteorite crashes into the ocean just off the coast from DC, obliterating the East Coast, and starting a chain reaction that would cause Earth to heat up. An extinction event.

At the forefront of it all is our first-person protagonist Elma, who is a mathematician. Her husband is assigned as lead engineer of the American space program, which later becomes an International Program. Elma works as a computer, doing all the calculations required by hand, a job done by women. Female mathematicians become computers, dudes become engineers, you see.

Elma was also a pilot during WWII, and longs to go to the stars. Throughout the books she pushes for the inclusion of women in the program, despite opposition, especially from 'star' astronaut Stetson Parker.

Have to say, the rampant sexism was hard to bear at times, but it's an accurate reflection of how it was, or would have been if women had already been included so much earlier, and not just as computers.

One thing I really hope for with the next book: less sexy times between Elma and Nathaniel using rocket metaphors, because sheesh. It gold old real fast for me.

All in all, very enjoyable.