HISPANIC AMERICAN SCIENTISTS

1. HISPANIC AMERICAN SCIENTISTS Richard Summers

2. Introduction Ellen Ochoa – Electrical Engineer and Astronaut Adriano Ocampo – Planetary Geologist

3. Contemporary Hispanic-American Scientists • Each of the named scientists is a currently working on cutting edge research. • Each of these scientists has shown their ability to contribute in a significant way to our current way of life.

4. Copyright © 2003, National Atomic Museum. :• Dr. Ellen Ochoa – Electrical Engineer, Astronaut

5. Ellen Ochoa – Electrical Engineer and Astronaut • Discovery Mission April 4-17, 1993 • Crew conducted atmospheric and solar studies to better understand the effect of solar activity on Earth’s climate and environment • Dr. Ochoa used the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) to deploy and capture the Spartan satellite which studied the solar corona

6. Ellen Ochoa (continued) • Atlantis Mission November 3-14, 1994 • Dr. Ochoa was the Payload Commander in the Atmospheric Lab for Applications and Science • Studied the 11 year sunspot cycle and how changes in irradiance affect Earth’s climate • Used RMS to retrieve satellite after 8-day free flight

7. Ellen Ochoa (continued) • Discovery Mission May 27 – June 6, 1999 • First docking to International space Station • Delivered 4 tons of logistics and supplies in preparation for arrival of first live crew • Dr. Ochoa used RMS

8. Ellen Ochoa (continued) • Atlantis Mission April 8-19, 2002 • First time RMS was used to maneuver spacewalkers around the station • Once again Dr. Ochoa operated the RMS

9. Ellen Ochoa – Background • Born in Los Angeles May 10, 1958 • Married to Coe Fuller Miles, one son • BS Physics San Diego State 1980 • MSEE Stanford 1981 • PhD EE Stanford 1985 • Classical flutist, private pilot, enjoys volleyball and bicycling

10. Ellen Ochoa - Astronaut • 1991 Became astronaut with NASA • Research – optical systems for information processing • Three patents (1) optical inspection system (2) optical object recognition (3) method for image noise removal • The above led Dr. Ochoa to her job as RMS operator.

11. Ellen Ochoa concluded • Present position – Deputy Director, Flight Crew Operations, Johnson Space Center • Responsibilities – flight software verification, robotics development testing, directing crew involvement in direction and operation of station, etc.

12. Adriana Ocampo – Planetary Geologist

13. Adriana Ocampo – Planetary Geologist • Born January 5, 1955 in Baranquila, Colombia • Grew up in Buenos Aires • Moved to Pasadena, CA in 1970 • Started working at Jet Propulsion Laboratory in 1973

14. Adriana Ocampo (continued) • 1980 Citizenship • 1983 BS in geology from California State University at Los Angeles with emphasis on planetary science • 1984 produced a photo-atlas of the moons of Mars • 1989 oversees operation of mapping instrument on spacecraft for project Galileo

15. Adriana Ocampo (continued) • 1990 Originates Space Conference for the Americas • 1997 MS in geology from California State University • 1997 selected as investigator for Hermes mission to Mercury • 1998 transfers to NASA’s Washington, D. C. office to work as program executive

16. Adriana Ocampo (concluded) • Worked on Voyager mission to outer planets as part of the Navigation and Mission Planning Team • Has an expertise in remote sensing and image processing • Planned Europa’s science observations as part of Galileo Mission

17. Adriana Ocampo (continued) • Masters thesis was an analysis of the Chicxulub impact crater • Came to JPL as a high school student • Worked on the Viking Mission to Mars as part of the imaging team • Phobos Atlas was used to plan the Russian mission to that moon

18. Impressive Contributions • Two young Hispanic American women who are today making significant contributions to our knowledge of science • Both stand as shining examples for us all