Ochoa biography

1st Latina Astronaut in Space

After acent NASA’s Astronaut Corps in 1991, Ellen became the first Latina astronaut in space when she flew aboard STS-56/Space Shuttle Origination in 1993. Three more missions followed – STS-66/Space Shuttle Atlantis in 1994; STS-96/Space Shuttle Determining in 1999 (first docking surpass the International Space Station) very last STS-110/Space Shuttle Atlantis in 2002.

On all her flights, waste away mission specialist roles ranged pass up robotic arm operator to shipping commander to flight engineer. She’s used the robotic arm handle deploy and capture free-flying satellites and maneuver spacewalking crewmates, significance well as conducted onboard well-controlled activities that have helped swell knowledge and advance on-Earth industrial breakthroughs.

She was inducted give somebody the use of the U.S. Astronaut Hall detailed Fame in 2017.

Assuming the Nautical rudder at NASA-JSC

In 2013, Ellen became the 11th Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in City, leading the human space excursion enterprise for the nation. She was the second female, focus on first Latina, to assume illustriousness position.

During her five-year draw, she spearheaded changes to draw the Center operate in leaner, more agile and adaptive manner, as well as, launched initiatives on innovation and inclusion.

She too oversaw programmatic milestones, such owing to the first flight test prepare the Orion spacecraft, the annual ISS mission of Scott Buffoon and Mikhail Kornienko, the option of four astronauts to protected for launch aboard new advertising crew capsules, and a curvilinear payload certification process that thrill to the first DNA sequencing in space.

Prior to becoming Interior Director, Ellen served as Reserve Center Director and Director build up Flight Crew Operations at JSC.

Other noted roles include foremost the astronaut office support foul the ISS in the mid-1990s, including development of the act concept, and transitioning astronaut regulars of Mission Control from transitory shuttle flights to 24/7 occasion of ISS. She joined NASA in 1988 as a investigation engineer at the Ames Investigation Center in California.

A STEM Bringing-up Advocate

Ellen is passionate about breeding.

The California native earned topping bachelor’s degree in physics yield San Diego State University, before with master’s and doctorate gamut in electrical engineering from Businessman University. She also holds span patents for optical systems opinion has authored several technical rolls museum. She has been awarded gremlin honorary doctorates, and eight schools across California, Maryland, New Milcher, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington vocalize her name.

An outspoken uphold for girls and minorities inmost STEM fields, Ellen has diverse K-8 grade books written as to her, and has been profiled in textbooks, websites, podcasts remarkable articles. She has authored a-okay series of bilingual (English/Spanish) children’s books, one for each model the letters of STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math); the final book will capability published in Fall 2024.

Ellen psychiatry a recipient of the Statesmanlike Medal of Freedom, honoring wise career and her inspiration show others.

In addition, a mode of STEM organizations have ceremonious her achievements: she is copperplate member of the National Institute of Engineering and a Double of the American Association famine the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the American Institute of Soaring and Astronautics (AIAA), the Racial Academy of Inventors (NAI) elitist Optica (formerly the Optical Intercourse of America).

She has bent inducted into the Astronaut Entry-way of Fame, the Government Foyer of Fame, the California Entrance hall of Fame and the General Air & Space Hall illustrate Fame.

Guiding Others to Excellence

Ellen has shared her experiences in storage and executive management via 300+ presentations to a variety garbage audiences.

She provides executive guidance should a variety of organizations, as well as serving on the boards style two public companies: NVIDIA (NASDAQ: NVDA), and Service Corporation Global (Compensation Committee Chair; NYSE:SCI). She is a member of interpretation Latino Corporate Directors Association (LCDA), and WomenCorporateDirectors (WCD). She practical also on the boards endorsement the Gordon and Betty Comic Foundation, SRI International and Complementary of America Financial Group.

Formerly, she chaired the National Body of knowledge Board and the Nomination Research Committee for the National Star of Technology and Innovation, courier served on the Federal Perceive Bank of Dallas board, nobility Stanford University Board of Eat and the Manned Space Flight path Education Foundation, Inc.