posted 09-17-2007 04:34 PM               

NASA names astronaut Ellen Ochoa deputy director of Johnson

Veteran astronaut Ellen Ochoa has been named the next deputy director of NASA's Johnson Space Center. Ochoa is a four-time space flier who has served as director of flight crew operations at Johnson. She will succeed Bob Cabana, who was named director of NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.

"Ellen has proven her exceptional capabilities many times in space as well as in her many roles on the ground, including most recently her superb management of flight crew operations," said Johnson Director Mike Coats. "We are extremely fortunate to bring her outstanding reputation throughout the agency and her wealth of experience to this new task."

Ochoa will assume duties as deputy director after the next space shuttle mission, STS-120.

Ochoa considers La Mesa, Calif., her hometown. She earned a bachelor's degree in physics from San Diego State University and a master's degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University. She managed the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at NASA's Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., before being selected as an astronaut in 1990. She flew on space shuttle missions STS-56 in 1993, STS-66 in 1994, STS-96 in 1999, and STS-110 in 2002, logging a total of 978 hours in space. She became deputy director of flight crew operations at Johnson in December 2002 and director of flight crew operations in September 2006.

posted 11-16-2012 11:26 AM               

Ochoa named Johnson Space Center Director

Veteran astronaut Ellen Ochoa will become the 11th director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, NASA Administrator Charles Bolden announced today.

Ochoa will succeed Michael L. Coats when he retires at the end of the year after leading Johnson since 2005. She has been the deputy director at JSC since September 2007.

"Ellen's enthusiasm, experience and leadership, including her superb job as deputy director, make her a terrific successor to Mike as director of JSC," Bolden said.

Ochoa, who considers La Mesa, Calif., to be her hometown, became the first Hispanic woman to go to space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery in 1993. She has flown in space four times, logging nearly 1,000 hours in orbit. Prior to her astronaut career, she was a research engineer and inventor, with three patents for optical systems.

Ochoa earned a bachelor's degree in physics from San Diego State University and a master's degree and doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford University in Palo Alto, Calif. She managed the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch at NASA's Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif., before being selected as an astronaut in 1990. She flew on shuttle missions STS-56 in 1993, STS-66 in 1994, STS-96 in 1999, and STS-110 in 2002, logging a total of 978 hours in space.

Ochoa served as deputy director of flight crew operations at JSC in December 2002 and director of flight crew operations in September 2006. She will be JSC's first Hispanic director and its second female director. Dr. Carolyn L. Huntoon served as JSC director from 1994-95.

posted 01-31-2017 03:32 PM               

Former astronaut to serve on the National Science Board

Ellen Ochoa, Director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and a veteran of four space flights, is the National Science Board's (NSB) final member of the class of 2022.

"We are thrilled with the addition of Dr. Ochoa to the National Science Board," said Maria Zuber, NSB Chair. "She brings a unique perspective and set of experiences that promise to be of great service to the National Science Foundation."

"A brilliant engineer, former astronaut and a pioneer for women in science, we are honored to welcome Dr. Ochoa to the National Science Board," NSF Director France Córdova said. "Her many years of leadership in fearless pursuit of advancement in science and engineering will prove immensely valuable to NSF's mission and goals."

Ochoa is Director of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Johnson Space Center based in Houston, Texas. She previously served as Deputy Director and Director of Flight Crew Operations at the Center. From 1990 – 2007, Dr. Ochoa was an Astronaut at the Center and first traveled to space in 1993 when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the space shuttle Discovery. She flew three additional missions, logging nearly 1,000 hours in orbit. Previously, Ochoa was Branch Chief and Group Lead at NASA's Ames Research Center and began her career as a research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories after receiving her Ph.D. from Stanford University.

Ochoa is a co-inventor on three patents and holds NASA's highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. She is a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

"It's a tremendous honor to be appointed to the National Science Board," said Dr. Ochoa. "I look forward to meeting my fellow members and to contributing to the discussion on our nation's science policy."

In October 2016, the White House appointed new members W. Kent Fuchs, President of the University of Florida, Victor R. McCrary, Vice President for Research and Economic Development at Morgan State University, Emilio F. Moran, Professor at the Center for Global Change and Earth Observations at Michigan State University, and Julia M. Phillips, Executive Emeritus of Sandia National Laboratories.

President Obama reappointed Arthur Bienenstock, Professor Emeritus of Photon Science at Stanford University, W. Carl Lineberger, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Colorado, and Anneila I. Sargent, Professor of Astronomy at California Institute of Technology to each serve a second six-year term. Together with Ochoa, these eight members will serve on the NSB until May of 2022.

posted 01-19-2018 06:22 PM               

Earlier today at the All Hands, I let people know that I am going to retire from NASA at the end of May. It's a really tough decision to determine when to make that transition; for me, it comes down to my personal situation. I reach 30 years at NASA, and my younger son turns 18, so this summer is a natural point for our family in which to move on to the next phase. We'll be moving to Boise, ID, and I intend to be involved with a number of activities that interest me (including getting back to playing flute, which I once considered for a career!). Of course, I'll continue — always — to be a strong proponent of NASA and STEM activities in general.

We're fortunate to have a team of excellent leaders here at JSC, so I know I'll be leaving JSC in good hands. You'll hear more about JSC leadership plans from Robert Lightfoot later in the spring. In the meantime, I have several months to go as Center Director, and you can count on me to continue to be fully committed to our mission and our people here.

posted 02-02-2021 02:44 PM               

Dr. Ellen Ochoa to Receive the NAA Stinson Trophy

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Ellen Ochoa has been named the recipient of the 2020 Katherine and Marjorie Stinson Trophy.

The Stinson Trophy was created in 1997 by NAA to honor the accomplishments of two sisters - Katherine and Marjorie Stinson. These sisters were among the first 11 American women to be certified as airplane pilots through the Aero Club of America (the predecessor of NAA). Their flying school helped numerous U.S. and foreign pilots to earn their Aero Club licenses, the precursor to FAA pilot certificates. The trophy recognizes a living person for "...an outstanding and enduring contribution to the role of women in the field of aviation, aeronautics, space, or related sciences."

Ochoa is being recognized for "... her barrier-breaking career contributions as an engineer, astronaut, first Hispanic woman in space, and former Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, in addition to her passionate advocacy for women and minorities in aeronautics, aviation, and space sciences."

After serving as a research engineer at Sandia National Laboratories and the NASA Ames Research Center, Ochoa was selected for astronaut training at NASA in 1990. She went on to become the first Hispanic woman to go to space, completing four shuttle missions and logging more than 900 hours in space throughout the 1990's and early 2000's.

In addition to her time in space, Ochoa led numerous teams assisting space flight from the ground, including the Flight Crew Operations Directorate, which managed the astronaut office and the aircraft operations divisions. She was Deputy Director of this division at the time of the loss of the Columbia Shuttle and crew in 2003 and had the difficult task of helping to implement changes needed to avoid a similar disaster in the future.

In 2007 she became Deputy Center Director of NASA's Johnson Space Center, which leads the human space flight enterprise for the nation. She served in that role for six years before becoming the first Hispanic Director and second woman Director of the center. As Director, Ochoa helped maximize use of the International Space Station and develop the Orion spacecraft for future missions, such as taking humans into deep space.

Ochoa retired from federal service in 2018 after 30 years at NASA. However, she continues to serve the nation, including in her role as a member of the National Science Board (NSB), which establishes the policies of the National Science Foundation (NSF) within the framework of applicable national policies set forth by the President and the Congress, and serves as an advisory body to Congress and the President on policy matters related to science, engineering, and education. Ochoa was appointed to the NSB by the President of the United States in 2016 to serve a six-year term. In 2018 she was elected by her peers to serve as the NSB Vice Chair and in 2020 elected to lead the NSB as the Chair.

As the first Hispanic female astronaut, Ochoa has given more than 300 presentations focusing on the importance of education in STEM topics. She has six schools named after her and several books written about her for students in the K-8 grades. Her life and accomplishments have been profiled in textbooks and on educational websites geared toward encouraging women and minorities to pursue careers in science, engineering, and technology. Ochoa's reputation is that of a tireless advocate of science and STEM education, always willing to step up to share her experiences and deliver words of inspiration in support of science and engineering.

"Katherine and Marjorie Stinson were true pioneers, whose contributions to aviation went beyond their feats in the cockpit," said NAA President Greg Principato. "Dr. Ellen Ochoa embodies the spirit and inspiration that underlay this wonderful award. Her work and example reach and inspire thousands and will continue to do so for years to come. The National Aeronautic Association looks forward to presenting this award to Dr. Ochoa just as soon as health and safety protocols allow."

"It's such an honor to be recognized by NAA and particularly for an award named after two pioneering women," stated Ochoa. "The Stinsons and other groundbreaking women in aviation and space paved the way for me to be able to contribute to the amazing endeavor of human space flight – and to inspire girls to reach for the stars."

Members of the Selection Committee were Lt Col Dana Bochte, 2018 Stinson Trophy Recipient; Dick Koenig, NAA Board of Directors; Lt Col Christine Mau, 2016 Stinson Trophy Recipient; Candace McGraw, CEO, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport; Greg Pecoraro, President & CEO, National Association of State Aviation Officials; and Shelly Simi, 2019 Stinson Trophy Recipient.

The Stinson Trophy will be presented on a date and location to be determined.