Ellen Ochoa

Ellen Ochoa (born 1958) is an American scientist and former astronaut considered a specialist in optics and optical recognition in robotics. Ochoa is noted both for her distinguished work in inventions and patents and for her role in American space exploration. She is the veteran of four space shuttle flights. In 2012 Ochoa became the director of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

Among Ochoa's optical systems innovations was a device that detected flaws and image recognition apparatus. In the late 1980s Ochoa began working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as an optical specialist. After leading a project team, Ochoa was selected for NASA's space flight program. She made her first flight on the...