Dr. Ellen Ochoa is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, inventor and former director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center whose career broke important barriers in American space exploration.
She became the first Hispanic woman to travel to space in 1993 and later became the first Hispanic and second woman to serve as director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center. She flew on four Space Shuttle missions and spent nearly 1,000 hours in orbit.
Beyond her achievements as an astronaut, Ochoa built a career in engineering, research and NASA leadership. Her work in optical systems also resulted in three patents, while her later leadership roles placed her at the center of major developments in human spaceflight.
Ellen Ochoa Biography at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Ellen Ochoa |
| Born | 1958 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Hometown | La Mesa, California |
| Age | 68 in 2026 |
| Profession | Former astronaut, engineer, scientist and NASA executive |
| Known for | First Hispanic woman to travel to space |
| NASA selection | 1990 |
| Spaceflights | 4 |
| Time in space | About 978 hours |
| Former position | Director, NASA Johnson Space Center |
| Education | San Diego State University; Stanford University |
| Spouse | Coe Miles |
| Children | Two sons |
| Religion | Not publicly established in NASA’s official biography |
| Height | Not reliably stated in NASA’s official biography |
| Net worth | No verified public figure established |
How Old Is Ellen Ochoa?
Ellen Ochoa was born in 1958 in Los Angeles, California.
NASA identifies La Mesa, California, as the community she considers her hometown. Based on her 1958 birth year, Ochoa is 68 years old in 2026.
Her early academic interests eventually led her toward physics, engineering and optical research before she entered the astronaut program.
Ellen Ochoa’s Education
Ochoa’s academic background played a major role in her path to NASA.
She graduated from Grossmont High School in La Mesa in 1975 before attending San Diego State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics in 1980.
She subsequently attended Stanford University, earning a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1981 and a Doctorate in Electrical Engineering in 1985.
Her combination of physics and electrical engineering training helped establish the technical foundation for her later research career and work in spaceflight.
Ellen Ochoa’s Engineering and Research Career
Before becoming an astronaut, Ochoa worked as a researcher and engineer.
She conducted research at Sandia National Laboratories and later at NASA’s Ames Research Center, where she worked on optical systems used for information processing.
Her research produced several inventions. NASA identifies her as a co-inventor on three patents involving an optical inspection system, optical object recognition and a method for removing noise from images.
At NASA Ames, Ochoa also managed the Intelligent Systems Technology Branch before being selected as an astronaut.
When Did Ellen Ochoa Become an Astronaut?
NASA selected Ellen Ochoa as an astronaut in 1990.
After completing astronaut training, she began preparing for space missions and eventually made history with her first flight.
In April 1993, Ochoa traveled aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on STS-56, becoming the first Hispanic woman to travel into space. The nine-day mission focused on atmospheric and solar studies examining the effects of solar activity on Earth’s environment and climate.
Her achievement became an important milestone for both NASA and Hispanic representation in the U.S. space program.
Ellen Ochoa’s Space Shuttle Missions
Ochoa flew on four Space Shuttle missions during her astronaut career.
Her missions were:
- STS-56 aboard Discovery in 1993
- STS-66 aboard Atlantis in 1994
- STS-96 aboard Discovery in 1999
- STS-110 aboard Atlantis in 2002
NASA records that she accumulated approximately 978 hours in space across those missions.
Her responsibilities included operating the Space Shuttle’s Remote Manipulator System, commonly known as the Canadarm. During STS-110, she also worked with the International Space Station’s robotic arm while the crew installed the S0 truss, an important structural component of the station.
Ellen Ochoa as Johnson Space Center Director
Ochoa’s NASA career continued well beyond her spaceflights.
After her final mission in 2002, she moved into management and eventually became director of Flight Crew Operations at Johnson Space Center. She later became deputy director of Johnson Space Center and was appointed the center’s director in 2013.
She became the 11th director of Johnson Space Center, its first Hispanic director and its second female director. She remained in the position until 2018.
During her leadership, the center worked through major developments in human spaceflight, including the successful Exploration Flight Test-1 of the Orion spacecraft and preparations for new commercial crew vehicles.
Ochoa retired from NASA in 2018 after three decades with the agency.
Who Is Ellen Ochoa’s Husband?
Ellen Ochoa is married to Coe Miles, an intellectual property attorney.
NASA’s official biography states that Ochoa and Miles have two sons.
Ochoa has generally maintained a relatively private family life while her professional career has remained highly visible.
NASA noted in its biography that when she retired in 2018, her youngest son had turned 18 and the family was moving into another stage of their lives. Ochoa subsequently moved to Boise, Idaho.
Ellen Ochoa’s Family Background
Ochoa was born in Los Angeles and grew up in California, considering La Mesa her hometown.
Her family background is significant to her legacy because she became a major figure in Hispanic representation in science, engineering and space exploration.
Rather than limiting her career to astronautics, Ochoa also became an advocate for education and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Her career has consequently been viewed as an example of how advanced education and technical expertise can lead to leadership at the highest levels of the space program.
What Is Ellen Ochoa’s Religion?
Ellen Ochoa’s religion is not clearly established in NASA’s official biographical materials.
Although various websites may publish religious information about public figures, such claims should not be treated as confirmed unless they can be traced to a reliable source or a direct statement from Ochoa.
Her public biography and NASA career records focus primarily on her education, scientific work, astronaut missions, leadership and family.
How Tall Is Ellen Ochoa?
A consistently verified official height for Ellen Ochoa is not provided in the NASA biographies reviewed for this article.
Various websites may publish different measurements, but without a reliable primary source, a specific height should not be presented as confirmed.
For a biography focused on accuracy, it is better to identify the information as unavailable than to repeat an unverified figure.
Ellen Ochoa Net Worth
There is no reliably verified public figure for Ellen Ochoa’s current net worth.
Celebrity and biography websites sometimes publish estimated net-worth figures for astronauts and former government executives, but those estimates are not necessarily based on publicly documented assets, investments or complete financial records.
Ochoa’s professional accomplishments are well documented, including her NASA career, four spaceflights, patents and leadership of Johnson Space Center. However, those records do not establish a definitive personal net-worth figure.
For that reason, claims assigning a precise dollar amount to her wealth should be treated as estimates rather than confirmed financial information.
Ellen Ochoa’s Awards and Recognition
Ochoa has received extensive recognition for her contributions to science, engineering and space exploration.
NASA records that she received the agency’s Distinguished Service Medal, along with other NASA honors and spaceflight medals. She has also been recognized by scientific and aerospace organizations.
She became a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
In 2017, NASA announced that Ochoa would be inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, recognizing her career as a veteran astronaut and her historic contribution as the first Hispanic woman to travel to space.
Ellen Ochoa’s Legacy
Ellen Ochoa’s legacy extends beyond the four Space Shuttle missions she completed.
She demonstrated that a career in space exploration could be built from a foundation in physics, engineering and scientific research. Her progression from researcher to astronaut and eventually to director of Johnson Space Center also illustrates the range of opportunities available within NASA.
Her historic 1993 spaceflight made her a pioneering figure for Hispanic women in the United States and around the world.
Her leadership at Johnson Space Center further expanded that legacy. As the center’s first Hispanic director and second female director, she became an important figure in NASA’s continuing effort to broaden participation in science and space exploration.
Where Is Ellen Ochoa Now?
After retiring from NASA in 2018, Ochoa moved to Boise, Idaho, and turned her attention toward other interests and activities.
NASA noted that she continued interests including playing the flute, an instrument she had played for years and had once considered pursuing as a possible career.
Her post-NASA life has continued to include involvement in scientific, educational and leadership-related activities.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ellen Ochoa
Is Ellen Ochoa still alive?
Yes. Ellen Ochoa is a living former NASA astronaut and former Johnson Space Center director. NASA’s current biography identifies her as a former astronaut and notes her retirement from NASA in 2018.
How many times did Ellen Ochoa go to space?
Ellen Ochoa traveled to space four times. Her missions were STS-56, STS-66, STS-96 and STS-110.
Was Ellen Ochoa the first Hispanic woman in space?
Yes. Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman to travel to space during the STS-56 mission aboard Discovery in 1993.
Who is Ellen Ochoa married to?
She is married to Coe Miles, an intellectual property attorney. They have two sons.
What did Ellen Ochoa study?
She studied physics at San Diego State University and earned master’s and doctoral degrees in electrical engineering from Stanford University.
What is Ellen Ochoa’s net worth?
A verified current net-worth figure has not been established from reliable public sources. Online estimates should therefore be treated cautiously.
What religion is Ellen Ochoa?
Her religion is not clearly identified in the official NASA biographies reviewed for this article.
How tall is Ellen Ochoa?
A reliably confirmed height was not found in the official NASA biographical records reviewed.
Ellen Ochoa’s Enduring Impact
Ellen Ochoa’s career represents a remarkable combination of scientific achievement, space exploration and institutional leadership.
From her early work in physics and electrical engineering to her research and inventions, four Space Shuttle missions and leadership of Johnson Space Center, she built a career that extended well beyond the title of astronaut.
Her historic achievement in 1993 remains one of the defining parts of her story. But her broader legacy also rests on the example she provides to students, engineers, scientists and future astronauts.
Ochoa’s life and career continue to demonstrate how education, technical expertise, perseverance and leadership can open doors to fields once considered inaccessible to many people.