Â鶹APP

Ellen Ochoa (29320023973)-by NASA on The Commons-

Top 10 Facts About Ellen Ochoa

Women’s participation in science and Technology has increased and they are not ceasing to surprise society with their trailblazing accomplishments. Ellen Ochoa serves as an inspiration for many women and young girls through her accomplishments. Her professional life serves as the ideal illustration of how invention can lead to adventure. Ochoa was born on May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles. Her career spans a number of flights as an astronaut leaving her with the status of the first Hispanic woman to travel into space. She served as NASAs Johnson Space Center’s second female director and first Hispanic director and she is also a classical flutist. Here are some of the facts to know about Ellen Ochoa.

Read also; 20 Most Famous Latino People of all Time

1. She was born in Los Angeles

STS66 Ochoa-by NASA-

Ochoa was born to Joseph and Rosanne (née Deardorff) Ochoa in Los Angeles, California, on May 10, 1958. She was the middle child of five. Her father was born in California, where her paternal grandparents first settled after leaving Sonora, Mexico. However, Ochoa was raised in La Mesa, California.

2. She is the first Hispanic woman to go to space

Although almost 90% of space travelers are known to be men, today women are breaking those barriers. Ochoa is one of these most well-known women known as the first Hispanic woman to travel to space. The Shuttle mission’s research was focused on the study of the Earth’s ozone layer. Ochoa has completed four space missions in total and spent close to 1000 hours in space. In 1993, she served as a mission specialist on STS-56. In 2002, she served as a mission specialist and flight engineer on STS-96 and STS-110.

3. She has served as a research engineer

S110E5218 – STS-110 – Bursch, Morin, and Ochoa work at the SSRMS controls during S0 Truss installation on the ISS – DPLA – 9fc7e10d4b84436859e6036ef2017874-by Unknown-

Ochoa concentrated at Stanford on building optical systems for performing information processing. She continued her research after graduation at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Sandia’s work for NASA includes the creation of optical, and digital recordings and simulations of space events and phenomena. Ochoa holds patents as a co-inventor for three optical devices; a system for inspecting items, a system for identifying and “recognizing” objects, and a method for minimizing distortion in photographs obtained of an object.

4. Ochoa holds a bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. in electrical engineering

Ochoa earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from San Diego State University in 1980, graduating Phi Beta Kappa, before going on to acquire a master’s degree and a doctorate from Stanford’s Department of Electrical Engineering in 1981 and 1985, respectively. During her time at San Diego State University, she discovered that she enjoyed physics, math, and engineering, and she eventually decided to major in physics.

5. She was rejected by NASA before being accepted in 1990

Female NASA astronauts-by NASA-JSC-

Ochoa applied for the NASA Astronaut program in 1985, and her application was considered during the 1987 selection process. She was invited to an interview but was not chosen. She maintained her application up to date and obtained a pilot’s license to gather operating experience, and she was called to interview again for the following selection when she was chosen as part of the astronaut class of 1990. NASA chose Ochoa in January 1990, and she became an astronaut in July 1991. Her technical responsibilities in the Astronaut Office included serving as the crew representative for flight software, computer hardware, and robotics, as the Chief of the Astronaut Office’s Assistant for the Space Station, as the lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control, and as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office.

Read also; Top 10 Famous Hispanic Scientists

6. She is a classical flutist

Throughout her childhood, Ochoa was interested in music. She actually was considering a career as a classical flutist or in business when she graduated from San Diego State University in 1980 with a BA in Physics but with her mother’s insistence on the value of education, she enrolled in graduate school at Stanford University. Ochoa is a classical flutist who once received the Student Soloist Prize from the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. She played the flute for two years as a member of the campus marching band and five years as a member of the university wind ensemble while a student at San Diego State University. She took a flute with her on her first space journey.

7. A number of institutions bear her name

Ellen Ochoa, official portrait-by NASA/Bill Stafford-

Her name is commemorated by the Ochoa Middle School in Pasco, Washington, the Ellen Ochoa Elementary School in Cudahy, California, and the nimo Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School in East Los Angeles. In addition, the Ellen Ochoa STEM Academy at Ben Milam Elementary School in Grand Prairie, Texas, and the Ellen Ochoa Prep Academy in Pico Rivera, California. Tulsa’s Union Public Schools also named a new primary school after her.

8. She is the first Hispanic and second female director of the Johnson Space Center

After retiring from spacecraft operations in 2007, Ochoa became Deputy Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where she assisted in managing and directing the Astronaut Office and Aircraft Operations until her retirement in 2018. She became the Johnson Space Center’s first Hispanic and second female director on January 1, 2013. She also made history as the 11th director of the Johnson Space Center. Formerly, she served as Deputy Center Director and Director of Flight Crew Operations.

Read also; 30 Most Famous Hispanic People

9. Ochoa has been recognized with many awards

Ochoa has received NASA’s highest honor, as well as the Presidential Distinguished Rank Award for top federal agency officials. Among the various honors bestowed upon her include NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal (2015), Exceptional Service Medal (1997), Outstanding Leadership Medal (1995), and Space Flight Medals (2002, 1999, 1994, 1993). Ochoa and Michael Foale were inducted into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2017. Ochoa’s service as a board director for Johnson Space Center was acknowledged in Hispanic Executive’s 2017 Best of the Boardroom issue. In 2018, she was inducted into the International Air and Space Hall of Fame.

10. She is a married woman with two children

Ellen Ochoa carries her son Wilson-by NASA-

While working at the Ames Research Center, Ellen met Coe Fulmer Miles. He was also a NASA research scientist. They became friends and married in 1990. Wilson, Ellen’s first child, was born in 1998, a year before her third mission into space. Ellen returned to space in 2002 after giving birth to her second son.

Ellen’s self-assurance and perseverance helped her become NASA’s first Hispanic female astronaut. She serves as an example to everyone who strives for greatness and breaks through barriers in their various industries.