Ellen Ochoa

Women in Science

Ellen Ochoa August 10, 1958 – Present

About

The first Hispanic-American woman in space. Ochoa became an astronaut in 1991 and has completed four space flights including STS-56 in 1993, STS-66 in 1994, STS-96 in 1999, and STS-110 in 2002. Ochoa has been the Johnson Space Center Director since 2012.

Ochoa has been recognized for multiple medals and awards including NASA’s Distinguished Service Medal and The Hispanic Engineer Albert Baez Award for Outstanding Technical Contribution to Humanity.

Did you Know?

Four schools have been named after Ellen Ochoa. Ellen Ochoa Middle School in Pasco, Washington, Ellen Ochoa Stem Academy at Ben Milam Elementary in Grand Prairie, Texas, Ellen Ochoa Learning Center in Cudahy, California, and the Amino Ellen Ochoa Charter Middle School in Los Angeles, California.