7 Hispanics who have traveled to space with NASA

Tribute to Hispanic Astronauts at NASA

Significant Contributions and Notable Achievements

Diverse Backgrounds and Space Missions

NASA paid tribute on Thursday, October 12, to 15 Hispanic astronauts who have traveled into space.

They were also recognized for their significant contributions to their respective countries’ space programs.

This event took place within the framework of National Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States, which ended on Sunday, October 15.

Here are some details about seven Hispanics who undertook this incredible journey with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

From Costa Rica to the World

Hispanic astronauts traveled to space / PHOTO: nasa.gov

Franklin R. Chang-Díaz, originally from Costa Rica, was selected as an astronaut in 1980.

Moreover, he «has the honor of being the first Hispanic American in space.» But that’s not all.

Chang-Díaz traveled to space seven times, including a visit to the Russian space station Mir and one to the International Space Station.

Before him, there were Arnaldo Tamayo Méndez from Cuba and cargo specialist Rodolfo Neri Vela from Mexico.

The First Hispanic Astronaut

PHOTO: nasa.gov

Next among the seven Hispanics who have traveled to space with NASA, we have Ellen Ochoa.

Ellen was selected as the first Hispanic astronaut in 1980 and completed four spaceflights.

Later, she became the first person of Hispanic origin to lead NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Another Hispanic astronaut remembered by NASA is Sidney M. Gutiérrez, a pilot of the Columbia Space Shuttle in 1991.

275 Days in Space

Hispanic astronauts traveled to space / PHOTO: nasa.gov

Among the Hispanics recognized by NASA on Thursday, October 12, is Michael López-Alegría.

Through his five missions, this Spanish-American astronaut accumulated 275 days in space.

He is currently preparing for his sixth mission aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft on the Axiom 3 mission in January 2024.

He speaks English, Spanish, French, and Russian and has over three decades of experience as an astronaut.

Proudly Boricua

PHOTO: nasa.gov

On the list of seven Hispanics who have traveled to space with NASA, we have Joseph Michael Acaba, known as Joe Acaba.

He is recognized as the first person of Puerto Rican descent to reach space.

He was assigned to STS-119, which flew from March 15 to March 28, 2009, to deliver the final set of solar panels to the International Space Station.

He arrived at the space station on May 17, 2012, and returned to Earth on September 17 of the same year.

Doctor, Engineer, and Astronaut

Hispanic astronauts traveled to space / PHOTO: nasa.gov

Now it’s time for the doctor, engineer, and astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor, originally from Indianapolis, USA, but with Cuban roots.

She was selected by NASA from among 3,500 people aspiring to be astronauts. Later, she was hired as a flight surgeon.

She spent over nine months in Russia, supporting medical operations on the International Space Station.

In June 2012, she contributed to a test with NASA’s NOAA NEEMO 16 submersible.

Over 300 Days in Space

PHOTO: nasa.gov

According to Efe, Francisco Rubio began his first journey to space in September 2022.

Of Salvadoran descent, ‘Frank,’ as he is also known, traveled with Russian cosmonauts Sergei Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin on the Soyuz MS-22 spacecraft.

Originally, a six-month stay at the International Space Station was planned.

However, a coolant leak on the spacecraft in February 2023 necessitated a replacement. In total, Frank and his colleagues spent 371 days in space.

«From space, you can’t see borders»

Hispanic astronauts traveled to space / PHOTO: nasa.gov

We conclude this account of seven Hispanics who have traveled to space with NASA with the presence of José Hernández.

An American with immigrant parents from Mexico, José is the third Latin American astronaut to go into space.

In an interview with the Voice of America, he stated that he did not feel like a hero but rather a role model.

«When you see Canada, the United States, and Mexico, it’s beautiful because you can see those three countries in one scene, but what I found even more beautiful is that you couldn’t see the borders,» he said.