Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa Playing Flute Aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery
4/17/1993
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Ellen Ochoa, a scientist, inventor, pilot, and classical flutist, became the first Latina astronaut in the world to go to space.
Born in California, Ochoa excelled at math, science, and music. She almost pursued music in college but decided on physics. After graduating from San Diego University, she continued her research at Stanford, earning a PhD and focusing on the field of optics. Her work in optics led to her co-inventing three patents, helping computers to "see" or process images.
Accepted into the NASA Training Program in 1990, she completed training in 1991. Chosen for four missions totaling almost 1,000 hours in space, Ochoa’s final flight was to the International Space Station in 2002. Ochoa's numerous honors include NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. In 2013, after serving as deputy director, she was the second woman and first Latina appointed Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Born in California, Ochoa excelled at math, science, and music. She almost pursued music in college but decided on physics. After graduating from San Diego University, she continued her research at Stanford, earning a PhD and focusing on the field of optics. Her work in optics led to her co-inventing three patents, helping computers to "see" or process images.
Accepted into the NASA Training Program in 1990, she completed training in 1991. Chosen for four missions totaling almost 1,000 hours in space, Ochoa’s final flight was to the International Space Station in 2002. Ochoa's numerous honors include NASA’s highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. In 2013, after serving as deputy director, she was the second woman and first Latina appointed Director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
This primary source comes from the Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
National Archives Identifier: 23273184
Full Citation: Photograph 255-STS-STS056-29-016.jpg; Mission Specialist Ellen Ochoa Playing a Flute in the AFT Flight Deck; 4/17/1993; STS-56; Mission Photographs Taken During the Space Shuttle Program , 4/12/1981 - 7/21/2011; Records of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Record Group 255; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/ochoa-flute, December 3, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.