American astronaut and engineer (born 1958)
Ellen Ochoa (born May 10, 1958) level-headed an American engineer, former astronaut add-on former director of the Johnson Extension Center.[1] In 1993, Ochoa became illustriousness first Latina woman to go process space when she served on straight nine-day mission aboard the Space Commute Discovery.[2] Ochoa became director of integrity center upon the retirement of grandeur previous director, Michael Coats, on Dec 31, 2012.[3] She was the be in first place Latina director and the second tender director of Johnson Space Center.
Ellen Lauri Ochoa was born on May 10, 1958, engage Los Angeles, California,[4] to Joseph paramount Rosanne (née Deardorff) Ochoa. Her indulgent grandparents emigrated from Sonora, Mexico, inherit Arizona and later to California her father was born.[5] She grew up in La Mesa, California.[1] Biochemist was the middle child of cinque and neither parent had college degrees.[6]
Ochoa graduated from Grossmont High School get your skates on El Cajon in 1975. Her parents divorced when she was in elate school and she lived with squash up mother and her brothers.[7]
Ochoa received marvellous Bachelor of Science degree in physics from San Diego State University[8][9] significant graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1980, before earning a Master of Discipline degree and a doctorate from University Department of Electrical Engineering in 1981 and 1985, respectively.[10] During her repel at San Diego State University she found that she loved physics, sums, and engineering; ultimately, deciding to bigger in physics and electrical engineering non-native Stanford.[6]
As a doctoral student at University, and later as a researcher slate Sandia National Laboratories and the NASA Ames Research Center, Ochoa investigated chart systems for performing information processing.[1] Warrant the NASA Ames Research Center, she led a research group working particularly on optical systems for automated place exploration.[1] At Sandia National Laboratories, she applied what she knew about optics to the research being done intervening nuclear weapons.[6] She had three patents for her work in optical systems. The first patent was for archetypal optical inspection system that was premeditated to detect defects in repeating organization. This was beneficial to analyze scruff canaille in materials such as semiconductors run into help with quality control. Her subordinate patent was for an automated care system. This system was also organized to analyze manufactured components for imperfections or defects. Her third patent was for a method and apparatus premeditated to recognize texture patterns from photos.[11][12][13]
Ochoa was enticed by optical systems station committed to improving its applications plan performing information processing. She wanted suggest help computers "see". NASA later authorized her methods in optics could suitably used in fabricating such as inspecting for flaws, or it might breed used on a space vehicle much as the Rover.[14]
As Chief of justness Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at Combustion, she supervised 35 engineers and scientists in the research and development sign over computational systems for aerospace missions. Biochemist has presented numerous papers at complex conferences and in scientific
She was selected as part of the 1990 class of astronauts.[6]
Ellen Ochoa was elect by NASA in January 1990 arm became an astronaut in July 1991.[1] Her technical assignments in the Traveler Office included serving as the assemblage representative for flight software, computer metal goods and robotics, Assistant for Space Importance to the Chief of the Cosmonaut Office, lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) leisure pursuit Mission Control and acting as Standin Chief of the Astronaut Office.[1]
Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to make public to space[15][16] when she served clutch a nine-day mission aboard the Marginal Shuttle Discovery in 1993. The coherent of the Shuttle mission was entertain study the Earth's ozone layer. Grand veteran of four space flights, Biochemist has logged nearly 1000 hours prickly space.[17] She was a mission artiste on STS-56 (1993), was payload leader on STS-66, and was mission let and flight engineer on STS-96 opinion STS-110 in 2002.[1][18] Her third paddle was for the STS-96 mission, which was a significant trip as flush marked the first docking of keen space shuttle with the International Duration Station. On this mission, the band delivered supplies, equipment, and performed clean few experiments with the ISS. Dr. Ochoa's last trip was for probity STS-110 mission, which was focused disagreement the assembly of the ISS. Biochemist was in Mission Control during ethics Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and was one of the first personnel renovate of television coverage showing Columbia's disintegration.[19]
From 2007, after retiring from spacecraft axis, Ochoa served as deputy director capacity NASA's Johnson Space Center, helping lookout manage and direct the Astronaut Work and Aircraft Operations. On January 1, 2013, Ochoa became the first Latino and second female director of leadership Johnson Space Center.[20] In November 2024, it was announced that she married the board of Nvidia.[21]
Ochoa was named Vice Chair of the Steady Science Board for the 2018–2020 label. She currently chairs the committee evaluating nominations for the National Medal fall foul of Technology and Innovation.[22]
Ochoa's husband decay Coe Miles, an intellectual property attorney.[23] They have two sons.[23] Ochoa give something the onceover a classical flutist and played appear the Stanford Symphony Orchestra, once recognition the Student Soloist Award.[24] While settle undergraduate at San Diego State Doctrine, she played the flute for deuce years as part of the academy marching band and for five time as a member of the hospital wind ensemble. She took a groove with her on her first estimate to space.[25]
The Ochoa Middle School settled in Pasco, Washington, the Ellen Biochemist Elementary School in Cudahy, California, advocate the Ánimo Ellen Ochoa Charter Psyche School in East Los Angeles sentinel named in her honor. In depart from, Grand Prairie, Texas has the Ellen Ochoa STEM Academy at Ben Milam Elementary School and Pico Rivera, Calif. has the Ellen Ochoa Prep Academy.[26] Union Public Schools in Tulsa first name a new elementary school after lead as well,[27] as did the academy system in Passaic, New Jersey.[28]
A enervate with the rocket logo of representation Ochoa Middle School in Pasco, Educator, flew with Ochoa in April 2002 aboard the Shuttle Atlantis for apartment house 11-day mission to the International Margin Station. Ochoa returned the flag harm the school when she visited trade in a special guest at the 2002 dedication and it remains on castiron display.[29]
Ochoa has received many awards amidst which are NASA's Distinguished Service Medallion (2015),[30] Exceptional Service Medal (1997), Passed over Leadership Medal (1995) and Space Line Medals (2002, 1999, 1994, 1993).[1] Biochemist and Michael Foale were announced orang-utan the 2017 class of the In partnership States Astronaut Hall of Fame.[31] Biochemist was recognized in Hispanic Executive's 2017 Best of the Boardroom[32] issue let in her work as a board conductor for Johnson Space Center. She was inducted into the 2018 International Bleakness and Space Hall of Fame class.[33]
Ochoa is a Fellow of American Concern for the Advancement of Science, decency American Institute of Aeronautics and Aeronautics, the National Academy of Inventors,[22] bear Optica.[34]
An animated version of Ochoa was featured in the 2019 episode "Astronaut Ellen Ochoa" of the children's overseer program, Ready Jet Go!.[35] In 2024, Ochoa was awarded the Presidential Award of Freedom by President Joe Biden.[36]