JOSÉ M. HERNÁNDEZ

Inspired the 2023 movie "A Million Miles Away". Nasa Astronaut & Engineer


  • The first peasant worker to become a NASA astronaut
  • Born into a family of migrant agricultural workers from Mexico, and with everything against him to get ahead
  • Despite the difficulties, José dreamed of one day reaching the stars
  • José obtained several degrees, including postgraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering
  • He worked on the development of an X-ray laser, and the development of the first full-field digital mammography system for the early detection of breast cancer.
  • He was selected as part of the 19th class of American astronauts in 2004.
  • On August 28, 2009, José fulfilled his dream of going to space when he traveled to the Space Station aboard the shuttle Discovery

From harvesting crops across California to collecting data in space, astronaut and motivational speaker Jose Hernandez has led a remarkable life. Now a highly popular speaker, Jose Hernandez inspires audiences with his story of resourcefulness, self-purpose, and perseverance. Jose is also a very popular speaker for schools and universities celebrating the Hispanic Heritage month. His motivational story and STEM advocacy is perfect for younger audiences.

Born into a migrant farming family in Stockton, California, Jose Hernandez spoke only Spanish until age 12. He spent those years on a long circuit up the length of California, harvesting crops from March to November. Growing up on the move gave Hernandez a special kind of self-determination. His parents made sure that no matter how many times he changed schools, no matter how dicey the neighborhoods he lived in, Jose stayed focused and driven to learn.

With a tremendous work ethic built in the sweltering California fields, Hernandez excelled in college. His graduate work in electrical engineering helped secure Hernandez a job at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. There, he helped develop an x-ray laser and the world’s first full-field mammography system.

But Hernandez had grown up gazing in wonder at the stars. At age 42, older than most rookie astronauts, Hernandez joined the 19th class of US astronauts. Five years later, he served as the flight engineer on NASA’s two-week-long STS-128 mission.

In 2023, Amazon Prime premiered a biographical film titled “A Million Miles Away,” chronicling José’s journey from a humble immigrant laborer to an accomplished engineer, and eventually, an astronaut. The film draws inspiration from his 2012 memoir, “Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut,” highlighting his unwavering determination, sense of community, and self-sacrifice in pursuing an extraordinary dream.

Additionally, Hernandez is a member of the Eta Kappa New Electrical Engineering Honor Society. He holds degrees—including an honorary LL.D. degree—from UC-Santa Barbara, which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 2015.

Jose tailors each presentation to the needs of his audience and is not limited to the topics listed below. Please ask us about any subject that interests you:

  • Leadership
  • Motivation
  • Philanthropy
  • Overcoming adversity
  • Aerospace
  • Science
  • Technology
  • Clean energies

Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut

Jose Hernandez's inspiring story of becoming the first Mexican-American astronaut despite facing numerous challenges and setbacks. Growing up as a migrant worker and not learning English until he was 12, Hernandez persevered and worked hard to eventually join an elite team developing technology for early breast cancer detection. His message of determination and striving for greatness resonates as a classic American tale.

Imposter Syndrome: How to Thrive in Today's Challenging Environment

Impostor syndrome: a phenomenon that commonly affects high achievers, particularly those who are the first in their family to achieve academic or professional success. These individuals may struggle with self-doubt and a sense of inadequacy, questioning whether they truly deserve the recognition and accolades they have received. Jose will not only explore this topic, but also share strategies he used to overcome his own feelings of impostor syndrome.