born May 10, 1958, Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.
U.S. astronaut.
She earned a master's degree (1981) and a doctorate (1985) in electrical engineering at Stanford University. Specializing in the development of optical systems, she later helped create several systems and methods that were awarded patents. In 1990 Ochoa was selected to participate in NASA's astronaut program, and the following year she completed her training to become the first Hispanic female astronaut. In April 1993 she served as mission specialist aboard the shuttle Discovery . Ochoa's later missions included traveling to the International Space Station in 1999 and 2002.