Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa is an American engineer, former astronaut, and the first Hispanic woman to travel to outer space. Selected as part of NASA's 1990 astronaut class, she flew on four Space Shuttle missions, logging nearly 1,000 hours in orbit. Following her flight career, she served as the 11th director of the Johnson Space Center, becoming the first Hispanic person and second woman to lead the storied facility.

Early life and education

Born in Los Angeles, California, she grew up in La Mesa and was a talented classical flute player, even considering a career in music. She earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from San Diego State University, where she graduated valedictorian of her class. Pursuing graduate studies at Stanford University, she received a Master of Science and a Doctor of Philosophy in electrical engineering, conducting pioneering research in optical systems for information processing. Her doctoral work led to several patents for optical inspection systems and object recognition methods, establishing her expertise in the field.

NASA career

Selected by NASA in 1990, she became an astronaut in 1991. Her first mission was aboard STS-56 on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993, a flight dedicated to the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS) program to study the Sun and Earth's atmosphere. She later served as a mission specialist on STS-66 (Space Shuttle Atlantis) in 1994, which continued the ATLAS research series. On STS-96 in 1999, she flew on the Space Shuttle Discovery for the first docking mission to the International Space Station, operating the Canadarm robotic arm to transfer supplies. Her final flight was STS-110 on Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2002, delivering the S0 Truss segment, the backbone of the International Space Station's Integrated Truss Structure.

Post-NASA career and leadership

After her final flight, she held numerous leadership positions at the Johnson Space Center, including Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations and Director of Flight Crew Operations. In 2012, she was appointed Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Center, overseeing major programs like the International Space Station and Commercial Crew Program. She was named the 11th Director of the Johnson Space Center in 2013, a role she held until her retirement from NASA in 2018. In this capacity, she guided the center through the transition from the Space Shuttle program to the development of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis program.

Awards and honors

Her numerous accolades include the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, and the NASA Exceptional Service Medal. She was inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2017. She has received honorary doctorates from institutions like the University of Pennsylvania and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Several schools, including the Ellen Ochoa Prep Academy in Artesia and the Ellen Ochoa Middle School in Cudahy, have been named in her honor. In 2018, she was awarded the National Space Trophy by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation.

Personal life

She is married to Coe Miles, a fellow computer and electrical engineer. The couple has two sons. An accomplished musician, she has performed with the Stanford Symphony Orchestra and continues to play the flute. She serves on the boards of several organizations, including the National Science Board and KBR. A strong advocate for STEM education, particularly for young women and Hispanic students, she frequently speaks at events for groups like Girl Scouts of the USA and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers.

Category:American astronauts Category:American engineers Category:NASA administrators Category:1958 births Category:Living people