NASA Astronaut Joseph M. Acaba
March 19, 2009 by Luis Antonio
With the launch of Space Shuttle Mission STS-119, a dream came true for a teacher named Joseph M. Acaba and for many who share his Puerto Rican heritage. Puerto Ricans have been involved with the successes of NASA
NASA Astronaut Joseph M. Acaba is First Latino of Puerto Rican Heritage in Space
Date: March 15, 2008 since its inception, (many playing very important roles in its success on the ground) but on March 15th, 2009 a Puerto Rican takes these successes and aspirations to the place of their ultimate goal...Outer Space. With parents born on the island (Ralph and Elsie Acabá, from Hatillo, Puerto Rico), and he being born in Inglewood, California, Acaba is an American Astronaut Latinos the world over can identify with. On the NASA website Joseph recorded his message of continuing education and learning to students in both English and Spanish.
Puerto Ricans have contributed to a number of scientific and educational areas in NASA. A Mechanical Engineer in Aero-Space Technology by the name of Dr. Alfonso Eaton was the first Puerto Rican to work for NASA back in 1966. Since then, Puerto Ricans now hold key positions in the space exploration organization. Dr. Nitza Margarita Clintron is now the Chief of NASA's Johnson Space Center Space Medicine and Health Care Systems Office, and Dr. Orlando Figueroa is Director of the Solar System
The Puerto Rico Chamber of
Commerce of North East Florida
A Member of the National Coalition of Puerto Rican Chambers
© 2009 The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce of North East Florida, All Rights Reserved