From Stockton to the Stars
32 things you didn’t know about... Jose Hernandez
Photos by SNAP JACKSON | Interview compiled by NISSA HALLQUIST
Shot on location at University of the Pacific
Much of Jose Hernandez’s youth was spent working in the fields with his family. But he’s come a long way from there, as this past summer he headed into space on the Space Shuttle Discovery as one of NASA’s first Hispanic-American astronauts.
Although born in Mexico, Jose Hernandez considers Stockton to be his hometown. He attended Franklin High School and graduated from University of the Pacific with a degree in electrical engineering, moving on to work at the prestigious Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. After being accepted into the space program in 2004, he lent his name and story to the Reaching for the Stars Foundation, to inspire area youth to strive and find passion in science and engineering.
So what is it that really makes Hernandez tick, and what helped him rise from humble beginnings to literally reach the stars?
1. As a youngster, what did you do for fun?
Play soccer.
2. At the age of 10, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I was lucky enough to have been able to see the first man land on the moon when I was 8. After that, I knew that I wanted to be an astronaut.
3. If you weren’t doing your current job, what would you do?
I’d probably still be working at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
4. What was your most embarrassing moment in high school?
It took an embarrassingly long time for me to find a date for the Senior Prom.
5. You’re the youngest of four children. Did your siblings pick on you?
Yes, but no more than normal.
6. What was it like working in the fields?
It was hard work. But at the time, being kids, we saw it as fun, a big adventure.
7. You applied to the space program every year for 12 years. How did you feel when you heard you were accepted?
The only way to describe it is jubilation. After twelve years of tears, I finally had a reason to smile. I almost couldn’t believe it had actually happened.
8. How did you feel having the launch scrapped three times because of bad weather?
Knowing the mission wasn’t cancelled altogether, it didn’t bother me that much. After waiting so long to get into space, I didn’t mind waiting a little longer. In fact, I actually enjoyed extending the anticipation some more.
9. So you’re finally strapped in and waiting for the countdown. What was going through your head?
The wait between strapping in and the launch was about three hours. It gave me time to reflect on my life, how I’d come from working in the fields to launching into space.
10. How does it feel thrusting into outer space?
It takes a little over eight minutes between lift-off and main engine cut-off (MECO). The first four minutes are like going uphill on a rollercoaster; the engines vibrate and jerk you around. The next four minutes are when you feel the pressure of the G-forces. What feels like a one-year old baby on your chest turns into a 600-pound gorilla. Then, all of a sudden, you’re out of the Earth’s atmosphere, and you’re floating (in freefall).
11. What does a Flight Engineer do in space?
During the flight, I sat behind the pilots to be on-hand to handle any equipment malfunction. When we arrived at the space station, I was in charge of the robotic operation of the shuttle arm. During the mission, I operated the station’s arm.
12. What simple task on Earth seemed difficult to do while in space?
When you eat on Earth, you set everything out on a table and take what you want. In space you have to choose and eat one thing at a time; otherwise, it’ll float away.
13. What was it like looking down on the Earth?
I thought about how lucky I was to be one of only a few hundred people to see the Earth from that perspective. After having looked at globes in classrooms for years, you half expect it to look the same from space—countries in different colors. Logically, I knew it wouldn’t really look that way, but it was still a pleasant surprise to look at the Earth and not see political borders. I believe that if world leaders were able to see the Earth from the same perspective, there wouldn’t be as much conflict between them.
14. Was the experience in space everything you had hoped for?
Absolutely. It was a great experience, and I’d love to go back whenever the opportunity comes up.
15. Do you believe in extraterrestrials or life on other planets?
It is egotistical to think that we’re alone in the universe. Every star we see is a sun of some other solar system. Statistically, it seems likely that at least some can support life. As for whether or not any have visited Earth, I’d have to say no. Being a scientist, I’d need to see some data or some other conclusive proof of it, which I have not.
16. You call Stockton your hometown. Where would we find you on a Saturday night?
I try to be good now, so at home with my family.
17. Are you a Star Trek fan? If so, who is your favorite character?
Yes, the original series. Captain Kirk would have to be my favorite.
18. Name two TV shows you’re watching this week.
Pretty much whatever my kids are watching: Hannah Montana or some other Disney show.
19. What was your favorite childhood television program?
Star Trek, Brady Bunch, The Partridge Family.
20. How did your Reaching for the Stars organization come about?
After I made it into the space program in 2004, friends of mine in Stockton thought my story was compelling enough to inspire children in the area to believe in themselves and empower them to succeed. While I’m busy with my current duties, I make myself available as often as possible to come back to Stockton to make appearances and support the organization.
21. Song you really like but don’t like to admit it?
Something from the Bee Gees, like “Staying Alive.”
22. Are you a collector of anything?
I don’t really collect anything in particular. But I am kind of a pack rat. Which reminds me: I need to clean out the garage.
23. If you were a superhero, what would your powers be?
Flying, of course.
24. What person or people have had the most influence on you as you’ve gotten older?
Growing up, my parents and teachers were a great positive influence. As one of the first Hispanic-Americans to be accepted into the U.S. Space Program (in 1980), Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz has also been a great inspiration to me.
25. If you could be good at any one sport, which would you choose? Why?
I always liked playing soccer when I was younger. If I had any time and could get a group of guys together, I’d do it today.
26. Do you read your horoscope in the morning paper?
No, because then you tend to do things to make the prediction come true. If anything, I recommend reading it afterward to see if it was correct to begin with.
27. If you could give a 10 year-old advice, what would it be?
Do your best and study hard.
28. If you were talking to a child discouraged in their studies, what’s the one main thing you could relay from your own experience to try to keep them from giving up?
Persevere. As long as you have the will, there’s a way. Keep in mind that there’s no way around hard work, but the effort will certainly be worth it.
29. Is there a historical figure or statesman who’s inspired you?
The Kennedys, John and Robert especially, were greatly inspiring to me. One of my favorite books is Profiles in Courage by John F. Kennedy.
30. What would you have voted yourself “Most Likely To...” in high school?
Graduate College.
31. Tell us one thing that very few people know about you.
I have five children.
32. What’s next for Jose Hernandez?
I don’t really know. Now that I’ve been in space, I’ve achieved the goal I’ve been working toward my whole life. The great thing now is the number of options I do have, both with NASA and in the private sector. Right now, the sky’s the limit (no pun intended). SJM
