Making history in space: Dr. Ellen Ochoa
![Dr. Ellen Ochoa.Source: https://www.kcet.org/news-analysis/ellen-ochoa-first-latina-in-space-to-be-inducted-into-the-astronaut-hall-of-fame [NASAJohnson/Flickr/Creative Commons]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/58b9e2241e5b6ce566188654/1620672952613-F67ROK2LDM3ZZ7X58GT6/EO_1.jpg)
Dr. Ellen Ochoa.
Source: https://www.kcet.org/news-analysis/ellen-ochoa-first-latina-in-space-to-be-inducted-into-the-astronaut-hall-of-fame [NASAJohnson/Flickr/Creative Commons]
Born on 10th May 1958 in Los Angeles,[1] Ellen Ochoa grew up in La Mesa, California with her mother and four siblings. Her parents were born in the United States while her paternal grandparents had immigrated from Sonora in Mexico.[2] In 1975, she graduated at the top of her class in math at the Grossmont High School.[3] Growing up playing the flute, she initially considered pursing a music major in college. However, inspired by friends in her high school calculus class who were considering science and engineering majors[4] she decided to pursue physics at San Diego State University, graduating in 1980 with a BS in Physics[1]. She was an inquisitive student in school and in the words of her physics professor Jeff Davis, who recommended Ochoa to graduate school at Stanford, “She would always be asking questions—they were penetrating questions.”[5] Post completion of her undergraduate degree Ochoa went on to earn a M.S (1981) and a Ph.D. (1985) in electrical engineering from Stanford University[6] where she designed optical systems that could inspect objects and recognize them[5].
Ochoa with her senior project.
Source: https://www.sdsu.edu/magazine/issues/2020/summer/stars
In 1983, while Ochoa was still a graduate student, Sally Ride became the first female astronaut in the US which motivated Ochoa to apply to NASA to become an astronaut herself post completion of her doctorate degree.[1] Alongside her application process to become an astronaut, she continued optics research at the Sandia National Laboratories and the NASA Ames Research Center and was granted patents as the co-inventor for three optical devices that could inspect, recognize and, reduce distortion in images of objects[5]. Ellen’s expertise in optics and the potential of her work to improve data-acquisition, integrity and safety of equipment for space exportation led NASA to induct her in its astronaut training program in 1990.[1] Subsequently in July 1991, Ochoa officially became an astronaut.[1]
In less than two years, Ochoa made her first trip to space flying aboard the shuttle Discovery making history as the first female Hispanic astronaut.[7] Discovery’s mission was to study how solar activity impacted the Earth's atmosphere.[8] As part of this study, Ochoa released a research satellite using the shuttle's robotic arm.[8] In her next spaceflight, aboard Atlantis in 1994 she used the robotic arm to retrieve a research satellite.[8] Later, she was a part of space shuttle Discovery's docking mission to the International Space Station (ISS) in 1999 and returned to ISS again on Atlantis in 2002.[8]
During the course of these missions, Ochoa completed 1,000 hours in space. In each mission, Ellen used her physics and engineering expertise to examine topics ranging from atmospheric changes to space station design. In her own words[4] she is “committed to space flight, human exploration, learning how to do more and more”, since “it is much bigger than myself, important to my country and to the world. I like being able to contribute in this way”. After her last spaceflight in 2002, Ellen became the deputy director and later director of flight crew operations at NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center from 2007 until her retirement.[6] In this role, she led and oversaw the activities of NASA ranging from space missions to student outreach. Dr. Ochoa currently serves on several boards including as the chair of the National Science Board, which runs the National Science Foundation (NSF)[9].
Ochoa playing the flute in space aboard Discovery.
Source: https://spacecenter.org/astronaut-friday-ellen-ochoa/
Ochoa is also a trained private pilot and a classical flutist. Interestingly, she has even played her flute in space.[8] Her accolades include NASA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal[10] and honorary doctorates[11] from The University of Pennsylvania, The Johns Hopkins University and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and the Presidential Distinguished Rank of the Senior Executive Service[10]. She is also a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and the National Academy of Inventors (NAI).[7] Additionally, she has been featured in the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the California Hall of Fame and the International Air & Space Hall of Fame.[7] Dr. Ochoa is a champion of education and has given more than 300[9] presentations highlighting the importance of a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education. She has six schools named after her[7], and has been cited in several books and websites that encourage women and minorities to pursue scientific fields. She motivates students to dream big and never stop learning.
"Don't be afraid to reach for the stars," Dr. Ellen Ochoa
"I believe a good education can take you anywhere on Earth and beyond." Dr. Ellen Ochoa
Project Brain Light wishes Dr. Ellen Ochoa a happy birthday! Your inspiring career will continue to motivate us and others in scientific pursuits.
Other Resources
Podcasts featuring Dr. Ellen Ochoa
https://www.owltail.com/people/qISYL-ellen-ochoa/appearances
Resources for aspiring women candidates in the aerospace and engineering fields:[7]
References:
1. Ellen Ochoa, Optical analysis systems. https://lemelson.mit.edu/resources/ellen-ochoa (accessed 05/02/2021).
2. Hasday, J. L., Ellen Ochoa. Infobase publishing: New York, NY, 2006.
3. BEFORE THEY WERE STARS
. https://www.sdsu.edu/magazine/issues/2020/summer/stars (accessed 05/02/2021).
4. Ellen Ochoa, Deputy Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center
. https://www.aps.org/careers/physicists/profiles/ochoa.cfm (accessed 05/01/2021).
5. Ellen Ochoa, Class of 1975. https://www.alumniclass.com/grossmont-high-school-mighty-foothillers-el-cajon-ca/distinguished-alumni/?p=607 (accessed 05/02/2021).
6. Ellen Ochoa. https://www.nndb.com/people/037/000163545/ (accessed 05/02/2021).
7. Women and Girls in Science Podcast Series: Astronaut Ellen Ochoa. https://www.un.org/en/academic-impact/women-and-girls-science-podcast-series-astronaut-ellen-ochoa (accessed 05/02/2021).
8. Biography of Ellen Ochoa. https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/articles/teaching-content/biography-ellen-ochoa/
(accessed 05/02/2021).
9. People of Color in STEM: Dr. Ellen Ochoa, the First Latinx Woman in Space. https://cowyamp.colostate.edu/people-of-color-in-stem-dr-ellen-ochoa-the-first-latinx-woman-in-space/ (accessed 05/02/2021).
10. NASA Astronaut Dr. Ellen Ochoa. https://www.nasa.gov/centers/johnson/about/people/orgs/bios/ochoa.html (accessed 05/02/2021).
11. Ellen Ochoa, Ph.D. https://www.moore.org/people-detail?personUrl=ochoa-ph.d (accessed 05/04/2021).
