José Hernández

José Hernández is a U.S. engineer and astronaut of Mexican descent, known for his inspiring journey from farm fields to space. The son of migrant workers, Hernandez spent much of his childhood working in the fields with his family. Despite the challenges, he excelled academically, motivated by the dream of becoming an astronaut.

Hernandez earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Pacific and a master's degree in electrical engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He worked at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he contributed to the development of advanced technologies.

In 2004, he was selected as an astronaut by NASA, after several failed attempts. After completing rigorous training, Hernandez flew into space in 2009 aboard the space shuttle Discovery on the STS-128 mission. During this mission, he helped deliver supplies and equipment to the International Space Station (ISS) and performed various scientific and technical tasks.

In addition to his accomplishments at NASA, Hernandez is a fervent advocate for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and has worked to inspire young people, especially from disadvantaged communities, to pursue careers in these areas. He has written his autobiography "Reaching for the Stars" and founded the non-profit organization "Reaching for the Stars Foundation," dedicated to promoting education and science.

José Hernández is an example of perseverance and dedication, demonstrating that with hard work and determination, it is possible to reach for the stars, no matter the obstacles. His story continues to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers.