Ellen Ochoa the first Latina in space The story of America is one of journey and discovery - of many groups and individuals who shared common dreams and challenges, even as their differences shaped our culture. The Hispanic community, itself of wonderfully varied backgrounds, continues to contribute to every aspect of our society - and understanding America means knowing and celebrating these stories." Ellen Ochoa, the first Hispanic woman in space, serves as a role model to all students to try their best in all they do. In her role as a NASA Astronaut, she makes time to visit schools to encourage all students to study hard and not be afraid of success. Ellen is one of five children. While in junior high school, her parents divorced and she moved with her mother. Her extraordinary achievements demonstrates the credibility of her advice about success. In 1980 she graduated top of her class from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics. San Diego is not far from her hometown of La Mesa, California nor far from the city of her birth in 1958, Los Angeles. Ochoa attended Stanford University and earned a Master's in 1981, and a Doctorate in 1985, both in electrical engineering. Her doctoral work in electrical engineering led to a patented optical system to detect defects in a repeating pattern. This system can be used in manufacturing to inspect intricate parts for quality control. From 1985 to 1988, she worked as a research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories in California, where she developed an optical system to recognize objects regardless of their position. This optical system can be used in robotic manufacturing, or to guide a robot to or around specific objects. During this time she also worked at the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at NASA/Ames Research Division where she led a research group in optical processing, working primarily on optical systems for automated space exploration. In 1990 while working as a research engineer, Ochoa was chosen by NASA to train as an astronaut at the Johnson Space Center. Three years later, she became the first Hispanic woman in space on a nine-day mission aboard the shuttle Discovery. The astronauts were studying the Earth's ozone layer. NASA has honored Ochoa with seven awards for outstanding achievement including: The Exceptional Service Medal (1997), Outstanding Leadership Medal (1995), Space Flight Medals (1999, 1994, 1993), and two Space Act Tech Brief Awards (1992). Other awards she received include: Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award, the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, and in 1999, Ochoa was selected by President Clinton to served on the Presidential Commission on the Celebration of Women in American History. Ellen Ochoa is also a classical flutist and can be seen via photograph playing flute on the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1993. When she attended Stanford, she won the Student Soloist Award for the Stanford Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Ochoa is married to Coe Fulmer Miles and they have two sons. NAME: Ellen Ochoa (Ph.D) NASA Astronaut PERSONAL DATA: Born May 10, 1958 in Los Angeles, California, but considers La Mesa, California, to be her hometown. She is married to Coe Fulmer Miles of Molalla, Oregon. Dr. Ellen Ochoa is a classical flutist and private pilot, and also enjoys volleyball and bicycling. Her mother, Rosanne Ochoa, resides in La Mesa. EDUCATION: Graduated from Grossmont High School, La Mesa, California, in 1975; received a bachelor of science degree in physics from San Diego State University in 1980, a master of science degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1981 and 1985, respectively. ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Optical Society of America (OSA), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies. SPECIAL HONORS: NASA awards include the Exceptional Service Medal (1997), Outstanding Leadership Medal (1995), Space Flight Medals (1994, 1993), and two Space Act Tech Brief Awards (1992). Recipient of numerous other awards, including most recently the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award, The Hispanic Engineer Albert Baez Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution to Humanity, the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, and San Diego State University Alumna of the Year. EXPERIENCE: As a doctoral student at Stanford, and later as a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center, Dr. Ochoa investigated optical systems for performing information processing. She is a co-inventor on three patents for an optical inspection system, an optical object recognition method, and a method for noise removal in images. As Chief of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at Ames, she supervised 35 engineers and scientists in the research and development of computational systems for aerospace missions. Dr. Ochoa has presented numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific journals. Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Ochoa became an astronaut in July 1991. Her technical assignments to date include flight software verification, crew representative for flight software and computer hardware development, crew representative for robotics development, testing, and training, and Assistant for Space Station to the Chief of the Astronaut Office, directing crew involvement in the development and operation of the Station. A veteran of two space flights, Dr. Ochoa has logged over 484 hours in space. She currently serves as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control. In April 1993, Dr. Ochoa flew as a Mission Specialist on STS-56, carrying ATLAS-2. During this 9-day mission the crew of Discovery conducted atmospheric and solar studies in order to better understand the effect of solar activity on the Earth's climate and environment. Dr. Ochoa used the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) to deploy and capture the Spartan satellite, which studied the solar corona. Dr. Ochoa was the Payload Commander on the STS-66 Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 mission (November 3-14, 1994). ATLAS-3 continues the series of Spacelab flights to study the energy of the Sun during an 11-year solar cycle and to learn how changes in the sun's irradiance affect the Earth's climate and environment. Dr. Ochoa used the RMS to retrieve the CRISTA-SPAS atmospheric research satellite at the end of its 8-day free flight. Biography ELLEN OCHOA (PH.D) DEPUTY DIRECTOR, FLIGHT CREW OPERATIONS JOHNSON SPACE CENTER PERSONAL DATA: Born May 10, 1958 in Los Angeles, California, but considers La Mesa, California, to be her hometown. Married to Coe Fulmer Miles of Molalla, Oregon. They have two children. She is a classical flutist and private pilot, and also enjoys volleyball and bicycling. Her mother, Rosanne Ochoa, resides in La Mesa. His mother, Georgia Zak, is deceased. His stepfather, Louis Zak, resides in Waldport, Oregon. EDUCATION: Graduated from Grossmont High School, La Mesa, California, in 1975; received a bachelor of science degree in physics from San Diego State University in 1980, a master of science degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University in 1981 and 1985, respectively. ORGANIZATIONS: Member of the Optical Society of America (OSA), the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), Phi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi honor societies. SPECIAL HONORS: NASA awards include the Exceptional Service Medal (1997), Outstanding Leadership Medal (1995), Space Flight Medals (2002, 1999, 1994, 1993), and two Space Act Tech Brief Awards (1992). Recipient of numerous other awards, including the Women in Aerospace Outstanding Achievement Award, The Hispanic Engineer Albert Baez Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution to Humanity, the Hispanic Heritage Leadership Award, and San Diego State University Alumna of the Year. EXPERIENCE: As a doctoral student at Stanford, and later as a researcher at Sandia National Laboratories and NASA Ames Research Center, Dr. Ochoa investigated optical systems for performing information processing. She is a co-inventor on three patents for an optical inspection system, an optical object recognition method, and a method for noise removal in images. As Chief of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at Ames, she supervised 35 engineers and scientists in the research and development of computational systems for aerospace missions. Dr. Ochoa has presented numerous papers at technical conferences and in scientific journals. Selected by NASA in January 1990, Dr. Ochoa became an astronaut in July 1991. Her technical assignments in the Astronaut Office includes serving as the crew representative for flight software, computer hardware and robotics, Assistant for Space Station to the Chief of the Astronaut Office, lead spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) in Mission Control, and Acting Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. She is currently Deputy Director of Flight Crew Operations, helping to manage and direct the Astronaut Office and Aircraft Operations. A veteran of four space flights, Dr. Ochoa has logged over 978 hours in space. She was a mission specialist on STS-56 (1993), was the Payload Commander on STS-66 (1994), and was a mission specialist and flight engineer on STS-96 (1999) and STS-110 (2002). SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-56 ATLAS-2 Discovery (April 4-17, 1993) was a 9-day mission during which the crew conducted atmospheric and solar studies in order to better understand the effect of solar activity on the Earth‘s climate and environment. Dr. Ochoa used the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) robotic arm to deploy and capture the Spartan satellite, which studied the solar corona. Dr. Ochoa was the Payload Commander on the STS-66 Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-3 mission (November 3-14, 1994). ATLAS-3 continued the series of Spacelab flights to study the energy of the Sun during an 11-year solar cycle and to learn how changes in the sun‘s irradiance affect the Earth‘s climate and environment. Dr. Ochoa used the RMS to retrieve the CRISTA-SPAS atmospheric research satellite at the end of its 8-day free flight. STS-96 Discovery (May 27 to June 6, 1999) was a 10-day mission during which the crew performed the first docking to the International Space Station, and delivered 4 tons of logistics and supplies in preparation for the arrival of the first crew to live on the station. Dr. Ochoa coordinated the transfer of supplies and also operated the RMS during the 8-hour space walk. STS-110 Atlantis (April 8-19, 2002) was the 13th Shuttle mission to visit the International Space Station. Mission milestones during the 11-day mission included: the delivery and installation of the SO (S-Zero) Truss; the first time the station‘s robotic arm was used to maneuver spacewalkers around the station; and the first time that all of a shuttle crew‘s spacewalks were based from the station‘s Quest Airlock. Dr. Ochoa, along with Expedition-4 crewmembers Dan Bursch and Carl Walz, operated the station‘s robotic arm to install SO, and to move crew members during three of the four spacewalks.

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