Ellen Ochoa

Born May 10, 1958 in Los Angeles

Trailblazing astronaut who was the 1st Hispanic woman in space (aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993) and who spent almost 1,000 hours in space.

Co-inventor of three patents for optical inspection systems as the head of the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at NASA’s Ames Research Center.

A true pioneer, she served as Director of the Johnson Space Center – the center’s first Hispanic director.

Also an award-winning flutist!