José M. Hernández, president and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering, LLC, and a former NASA astronaut, shared his inspiring journey from humble beginnings to the outer reaches of space with students at Riverside City College.

 

Before a sold-out auditorium, Hernández had students hanging on his every word, ready to absorb the wisdom and determination that propelled him to greatness.

 

Hernández's odyssey began in the fields of California's agricultural heartland, where he worked alongside his family as migrant farmworkers. Born into a world of humble means, he spent his childhood shuttling between the United States and Mexico, a lifestyle dictated by the seasonal rhythms of the harvest. Yet, amidst the rows of crops and the scorching sun, a dream took root in his heart—a dream of reaching for the stars.

 

Fueling his ambition were historic trips of space exploration that captivated the world's imagination. Inspired by the iconic moonwalk mission of Apollo 17 and the stirring commentary of Walter Cronkite, Hernández knew from the tender age of 10 that he wanted to soar among the stars.

 

Despite facing long odds, Hernández pursued his passion for science and engineering. His journey took him from the fields of Stockton to the halls of the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he earned a master’s degree in electronic engineering, signals and systems.

 

 

With continued perseverance, he carved out a career at NASA's Johnson Space Center, where he was an astronaut and part of space exploration. Selected as part of the 19th class of astronauts in 2004, he soared aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery as a mission specialist on the STS-128 mission.

 

During his tenure at NASA, Hernández's contributions extended beyond the confines of the spacecraft. He oversaw transfer of thousands of pounds of equipment between the shuttle and the International Space Station; played a pivotal role in robotics operations; and traversed over 5.7 million miles of celestial expanse in under two weeks.

 

Through The José Hernández Reaching for the Stars Foundation, he inspires the next generation of scientists, engineers and dreamers, particularly in the Central Valley.

 

At Riverside City College, his words resonated with the promise of possibility and the potential within each. His message was clear: no dream is too audacious, nor is any obstacle too daunting for those who dare to reach for the stars.