Ellen Ochoa was born May 10, 1958, in Los Angeles, California. She is the first Latina astronaut to travel into space. In 1980, Ochoa earned her bachelor’s degree in physics from San Diego State University. She pursued graduate training at Stanford University. In 1981, Ochoa earned her master’s degree and later received her doctorate degree in electrical engineering in 1985. In 1990, she was chosen by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to participate in its astronaut program, making her the first Latina astronaut in 1991. In 1993, she served as the mission specialist aboard space shuttle Discovery, making her the first Latina astronaut in space.
After several years and several more missions, Ochoa became director of the Johnson Space Center in Houston in 2013 – the first Latina to hold the position.
Austin_American_Statesman_Sat__Feb_6__1993_| Title | “Charting New Paths” |
|---|---|
| Date | February 06, 1993 |
| Source | Austin American-Statesman |
The_Miami_Herald_Tue__Nov_30__1993_
| Title | “Astronaut to discuss her journey into space” |
|---|---|
| Date | November 30, 1993 |
| Source | The Miami Herald |
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ellen-Ochoa
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