José Hernández’s life story is a testament to perseverance and determination. Born on August 7, 1962, in French Camp, California, to Mexican migrant farmworker parents, Hernández spent his early years traveling between California and Michoacán, Mexico, following seasonal harvests. Despite the challenges of this nomadic lifestyle, he harbored a dream that seemed as distant as the stars: becoming an astronaut.
Educational Pursuits and Early Career
Determined to achieve his ambitions, Hernández pursued higher education, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of the Pacific and a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His academic achievements led him to work at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he contributed to the development of the first full-field digital mammography imaging system, aiding in early breast cancer detection.
NASA Career and Spaceflight
Hernández’s aspiration to join NASA faced numerous rejections—11 in total. Undeterred, he was selected as an astronaut candidate in 2004. After completing rigorous training, he served as a mission specialist on the STS-128 mission aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in August 2009. During this 13-day mission, Hernández became the first person to tweet in Spanish from space, sharing his experience with the world.
“A Million Miles Away” Film Adaptation
Hernández’s remarkable journey inspired the 2023 biographical film “A Million Miles Away,” directed by Alejandra Márquez Abella and starring Michael Peña as Hernández. The film chronicles his life from his early days as a migrant farmworker to his historic spaceflight, highlighting the challenges and triumphs he encountered along the way.
Post-NASA Endeavors
After retiring from NASA in 2011, Hernández ventured into various fields, including a run for the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 10th congressional district in 2012. He also established Tierra Luna Cellars, a vineyard in Lodi, California, combining his passion for agriculture with entrepreneurship.
External Resources
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