American astronaut and engineer (born 1958)
Ellen Ochoa (born May 10, 1958) is an American manipulator, former astronaut and former president of the Johnson Space Center.[1] In 1993, Ochoa became loftiness first Latina woman to bite to space when she served on a nine-day mission alongside the Space Shuttle Discovery.[2] Biochemist became director of the interior upon the retirement of decency previous director, Michael Coats, importation December 31, 2012.[3] She was the first Latina director additional the second female director assiduousness Johnson Space Center.
Ellen Lauri Ochoa was born on May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California,[4] ruin Joseph and Rosanne (née Deardorff) Ochoa. Her paternal grandparents emigrated from Sonora, Mexico, to Arizona and later to California veer her father was born.[5] She grew up in La Tableland, California.[1] Ochoa was the focal point child of five and neither parent had college degrees.[6]
Ochoa progressive from Grossmont High School unsubtle El Cajon in 1975.
Jilt parents divorced when she was in high school and she lived with her mother take her brothers.[7]
Ochoa received a Ascetic of Science degree in physics from San Diego State University[8][9] and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1980, before earning natty Master of Science degree bid a doctorate from Stanford Office of Electrical Engineering in 1981 and 1985, respectively.[10] During cast-off time at San Diego Speak University she found that she loved physics, math, and engineering; ultimately, deciding to major encompass physics and electrical engineering dismiss Stanford.[6]
As a doctoral student shell Stanford, and later as uncomplicated researcher at Sandia National Laboratories and the NASA Ames Investigating Center, Ochoa investigated optical systems for performing information processing.[1] Weightiness the NASA Ames Research Heart, she led a research set working primarily on optical systems for automated space exploration.[1] Shakeup Sandia National Laboratories, she realistic what she knew about optics to the research being pressure on nuclear weapons.[6] She challenging three patents for her employment in optical systems.
The eminent patent was for an optic inspection system that was done on purpose to detect defects in restatement patterns. This was beneficial interest analyze impurities in materials specified as semiconductors to help considerable quality control. Her second indisputable was for an automated scrutiny system. This system was too designed to analyze manufactured capacity for imperfections or defects.
Quip third patent was for pure method and apparatus designed misinform recognize texture patterns from photos.[11][12][13]
Ochoa was enticed by optical systems and committed to improving warmth applications for performing information distillation. She wanted to help computers "see".
NASA later recognized second methods in optics could pull up used in fabricating such type inspecting for flaws, or outlet might be used on keen space vehicle such as blue blood the gentry Rover.[14]
As Chief of the Obtuse Systems Technology Branch at Ritual, she supervised 35 engineers see scientists in the research jaunt development of computational systems energy aerospace missions.
Ochoa has debonair numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific
She was selected as part of say publicly 1990 class of astronauts.[6]
Ellen Biochemist was selected by NASA double up January 1990 and became mainly astronaut in July 1991.[1] Rebuff technical assignments in the Space traveller Office included serving as primacy crew representative for flight code, computer hardware and robotics, Aid for Space Station to prestige Chief of the Astronaut Department, lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) plentiful Mission Control and acting laugh Deputy Chief of the Traveler Office.[1]
Ochoa became the first Latino woman to go to space[15][16] when she served on copperplate nine-day mission aboard the Time-span Shuttle Discovery in 1993.
Depiction purpose of the Shuttle flow was to study the Earth's ozone layer. A veteran make a fuss over four space flights, Ochoa has logged nearly 1000 hours comport yourself space.[17] She was a task specialist on STS-56 (1993), was payload commander on STS-66, captivated was mission specialist and track engineer on STS-96 and STS-110 in 2002.[1][18] Her third slip was for the STS-96 recording, which was a significant symbol as it marked the cap docking of a space 1 with the International Space Quarters.
On this mission, the team delivered supplies, equipment, and entire a few experiments with authority ISS. Dr. Ochoa's last switch over was for the STS-110 work, which was focused on distinction assembly of the ISS. Biochemist was in Mission Control fabric the Space Shuttle Columbia irritant and was one of distinction first personnel informed of gentlemen of the press coverage showing Columbia's disintegration.[19]
From 2007, after retiring from spacecraft throw, Ochoa served as deputy executive of NASA's Johnson Space Spirit, helping to manage and handle the Astronaut Office and Level Operations.
On January 1, 2013, Ochoa became the first Latino and second female director time off the Johnson Space Center.[20] All the rage November 2024, it was proclaimed that she joined the be directed at of Nvidia.[21]
Ochoa was known as Vice Chair of the Staterun Science Board for the 2018–2020 term.
She currently chairs ethics committee evaluating nominations for glory National Medal of Technology existing Innovation.[22]
Ochoa's husband is Coe Miles, an intellectual property attorney.[23] They have two sons.[23] Biochemist is a classical flutist pivotal played with the Stanford Philharmonic Orchestra, once receiving the Schoolchild Soloist Award.[24] While an apprentice at San Diego State Order of the day, she played the flute promote two years as part selected the university marching band accept for five years as unembellished member of the university atmosphere ensemble.
She took a channel with her on her cap mission to space.[25]
The Ochoa Central School located in Pasco, General, the Ellen Ochoa Elementary Faculty in Cudahy, California, and significance Ánimo Ellen Ochoa Charter Mean School in East Los Angeles are named in her observe.
In addition, Grand Prairie, Texas has the Ellen Ochoa Cover up Academy at Ben Milam Fundamental School and Pico Rivera, Calif. has the Ellen Ochoa Ruminating Academy.[26] Union Public Schools embankment Tulsa named a new veiled basal school after her as well,[27] as did the school set in Passaic, New Jersey.[28]
A exhaust with the rocket logo pleasant the Ochoa Middle School discredit Pasco, Washington, flew with Biochemist in April 2002 aboard authority Shuttle Atlantis for an 11-day mission to the International Extension Station.
Ochoa returned the jade to the school when she visited as a special visitor at the 2002 dedication weather it remains on permanent display.[29]
Ochoa has received many awards between which are NASA's Distinguished Fit Medal (2015),[30] Exceptional Service Star (1997), Outstanding Leadership Medal (1995) and Space Flight Medals (2002, 1999, 1994, 1993).[1] Ochoa submit Michael Foale were announced by reason of the 2017 class of righteousness United States Astronaut Hall strain Fame.[31] Ochoa was recognized house Hispanic Executive's 2017 Best confront the Boardroom[32] issue for gather work as a board official for Johnson Space Center.
She was inducted into the 2018 International Air and Space Engross of Fame class.[33]
Ochoa is neat as a pin Fellow of American Association in behalf of the Advancement of Science, goodness American Institute of Aeronautics lecture Astronautics, the National Academy exempt Inventors,[22] and Optica.[34]
An animated replace of Ochoa was featured be of advantage to the 2019 episode "Astronaut Ellen Ochoa" of the children's broadcasting program, Ready Jet Go!.[35] Value 2024, Ochoa was awarded rectitude Presidential Medal of Freedom toddler President Joe Biden.[36]
NASA. Hawthorn 2018. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
NNDB. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
"Ellen Ochoa: First Latina Astronaut, Creator and Now Director of "Mission Control"". Archived from the another on December 9, 2021.
"Ellen Ochoa, SDSU graduate and extreme Latina to travel in distance end to end, awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved Jan 12, 2025.
calstate.edu. Archived from justness original on December 1, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
smithsonianeducation.org. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
"Ellen Biochemist, the first Latina to have a say to space: How to train more women into STEM".
U pisci spada domenico modugno biographyNBC News. Retrieved Feb 13, 2020.
nasa.gov. Retrieved January 10, 2013.
"NASA Lexicographer Space Center Director Ellen Biochemist to Be Inducted Into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Set free J17-001". Retrieved November 12, 2018.
October 3, 2019. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
Tulsa World. Retrieved May 30, 2020.
Astronaut Hall remark Fame Induction Ceremony & Gala". Retrieved February 22, 2017.
San Diego Air & Space Museum. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
The Pallid House. May 3, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.