Jose Hernandez: Hispanic Astronaut

  • José Hernandez’s inspring life story takes him on a journey from a migrant farmworker to a NASA astronaut.
  • Hernandez is the topic of Amazon Prime’s A Million Miles Away, a biopic about his path from a farm worker to becoming an engineer and an astronaut. 
  • He served as flight engineer aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-128 to the International Space Station and was formerly a Legislative Analyst at NASA Headquarters.
  • Hernandez is the founder of Tierra Luna Engineering, a consulting firm dedicated to providing an innovative approach on aerospace, advanced technologies, and education outreach while also providing turnkey solutions to increasing manufacturing capabilities in a sustainable and cost effective manner.
  • Hernandez has received two NASA Service Awards and seven honorary degrees, among other honors.

Travel & Fee Range:**

  • Travels from: Stockton, CA, USA
  • **Fee range: $10,001 - $20,000

Keynote Topics

Jose Hernandez’s talk is an effective motivational talk where individuals leave so inspired, they re-evaluate and upgrade their personal and professional goals in life. This is accomplished by empowering attendees through his anecdotal stories of hard work and perseverance. He shares a simple yet effective recipe that serves as an effective tool in the empowerment process.

Reaching your full potential
Dare to dream big when you are willing to work hard for it
Jose shares his 6 ingredient recipe to success that lead him to his goal of becoming an Astronaut
His conference leads to re-evaluation and upgrading of the audience’s goal

Jose discusses how he developed his leadership and communication skills both as a social advocate in various community-based organizations and through experiences as he moved up through middle/senior management positions at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and NASA.

This is a sensitivity training course where Jose points out that everyone has internal biases. Acknowledging and managing these biases not only allows us to treat everyone equally, but in an inclusive manner. In doing so, we can focus on individualistic needs.

In a diverse workplace, differences exist, and people require support in different ways. Equity asks us to acknowledge that everyone has different needs, experiences, and opportunities.

This talks centers around the subject of common to high achievers, people who break barriers and/or are “first in their family to achieve.” These achievements cause individuals to doubt their abilities to the point they feel like a fraud.

It disproportionately affects people who break barriers and are one of the first in their families to have college graduate careers.

They typically find it difficult to accept their accomplishments and many questions whether they’re deserving of recognition and accolades. Jose not only talks about the subject, but also discuss methods he used to overcome such feelings.

This talk centers around the importance of staying on the leading edge of technology and how it affects our everyday lives. It introduces the concept of disruptive technologies, how to identify and take advantage of them.

NASA engineer Jose Hernandez wanted to fly in space ever since he heard that the first Hispanic-American had been chosen to travel into space. “I was hoeing a row of sugar beets in a field near Stockton, Calif., and I heard on my transistor radio that Franklin Chang-Diaz had been selected for the Astronaut Corps,” […]

NASA engineer Jose Hernandez wanted to fly in space ever since he heard that the first Hispanic-American had been chosen to travel into space.

“I was hoeing a row of sugar beets in a field near Stockton, Calif., and I heard on my transistor radio that Franklin Chang-Diaz had been selected for the Astronaut Corps,” says Hernandez, who was a senior in high school at the time.

“I was already interested in science and engineering,” Jose Hernandez remembers, “but that was the moment I said, ‘I want to fly in space.’ And that’s something I’ve been striving for each day since then.” And now that hard work has paid off.

Jose Hernandez was selected to begin training as a mission specialist as part of the 2004 astronaut candidate class.

“Some kids might think it would be fun to travel like that,” Hernandez laughs, “but we had to work. It wasn’t a vacation.”

Jose Hernandez | NASA Latino Astronaut

This system has proven useful for detecting breast cancer at an earlier stage than present film/screen mammography techniques. Hernandez has won recognition awards for his work on this project. He has also worked in the international arena where he represented Lawrence Livermore and the U.S. Department of Energy on Russian nuclear non-proliferation issues.

During the astronaut application process, Hernandez had to meet with a review board. That’s where he came face-to-face with his original inspiration: Franklin Chang-Diaz.

“It was a strange place to find myself, being evaluated by the person who gave me the motivation to get there in the first place,” Hernandez says. “But I found that we actually had common experiences — a similar upbringing, the same language issues. That built up my confidence. Any barriers that existed, he had already hurdled them.”

Hernandez smiles. “Now it’s my turn!”

Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter

Videos

Interest to Book? Send us your enquiry

Speaker Contact Form

Enquiry Form

In order to view the below you must be logged in.

  • Powerpoint Slide – For meeting and event planners
  • Gallery Images
  • High Resolution Images
  • PDF Files
  • Books and Magazine Links
  • Music List
  • Podcast Shows
  • Courses
  • + more

You may be interested in...

  • (15)
DJ Mikey Beats

With over 20 years of experience as a professional DJ Mikey Beats versatility in playing multiple genres is why he is called upon for various private and corporate events, as well as weddings. From the first consultation to the last song of the night, Mikey Beats treats each client with special care to ensure them […]

  • Travels from: San Diego, CA
  • Mobile DJ
  • (17)
Will Gill

Look no further than Corporate Event DJ Will Gill. With a unique blend of musical expertise and a knack for reading the room, Will Gill ensures that your conference entertainment leaves a lasting impression. Let’s delve into what makes Will Gill the perfect choice for your next event. DJ Will Gill | Mobile DJ Musical […]

  • Travels from: Las Vegas, NV
  • Mobile DJ
  • (12)

Mary Kelly is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and spent over 20 years on active duty in intelligence and logistics. She retired from the Navy as a commander. She has master’s degrees in history and economics, and a PhD in economics. Mary Kelly has EXPERIENCE, and it’s this experience that helps your […]

  • Travels from: Dallas, TX
  • Finance Speakers
  • (10)
Jasmine Star

Jasmine Star helps entrepreneurs build a brand and market it on social media.  After quitting law school, she picked up a camera, built an internationally recognized business, and teaches others how to do the same. In addition to chasing wild dreams, Jasmine works with her husband and grumpy dog, and you’ll likely find her walking […]

  • Travels from: Newport Beach, CA
  • Business Speakers
  • (13)

Marco Tempest is an internationally renowned magician who blends illusion, technology, and storytelling to create unforgettable experiences. With a unique blend of expertise in both traditional magic and cutting-edge technology, Tempest has established himself as a pioneer in the field of techno-magic, captivating audiences at conferences, corporate events, and high-profile gatherings around the world. His work […]

  • Travels from: New York, NY
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (22)
  • (3)
Brian Apprille Comedian

Brian Apprille Comedian has become a sought-after name in the corporate comedy circuit. His ability to craft relatable, clean, and engaging content makes him a beacon of laughter and inspiration in a dynamic environment. Brian Apprille | Comedian & Emcee Expertise and Background Brian Apprille’s journey into comedy started like many great stories—with a love […]

  • Travels from: San Diego, CA
  • Comedian Hosts
  • (10)
  • (1)

Tracy Tutor is a dynamic and influential figure in the world of real estate and motivational speaking. As a top agent at Douglas Elliman, Tracy has carved out a remarkable career characterized by her tenacity, charisma, and unparalleled expertise in high-end properties. Her prominence skyrocketed when she became a star on Bravo’s “Million Dollar Listing […]

  • Travels from: Los Angeles, CA
  • Motivational Speakers
  • (18)
Daniel Pink

Daniel Pink is a best-selling author and one of the most influential thinkers in the realm of business and human behavior. His profound insights into motivation, leadership, and innovation have captivated audiences worldwide, making him a sought-after keynote speaker. With a career spanning over two decades, Pink has become synonymous with groundbreaking ideas that challenge […]

  • Travels from: Washington, DC
  • Motivational Speakers
Disclaimer
The profiles and images embedded on these pages are from various conference entertainers and other talent.

These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.

Fee ranges where listed on this website are intended to serve as a guideline only.

All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel