The story of José Moreno Hernández is one of the most inspiring in American history.
Born to migrant farm workers who picked crops across California and Mexico, José defied every obstacle imaginable poverty, language barriers, repeated rejection to become a NASA astronaut and the first migrant farm worker ever to travel to space.
His remarkable life story inspired the Amazon Prime biopic A Million Miles Away (2023) and continues to motivate millions of people across the world, especially those from immigrant and underserved communities.
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José Moreno Hernández: History · Bio · Photo
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| Wiki Facts & About Data | |
| Full Name: | José Moreno Hernández |
| Born: | August 7, 1962 |
| Age: | 63 years old |
| Birthplace: | French Camp, California, USA |
| Nationality: | American (Mexican-American) |
| Occupation: | Engineer, Former NASA Astronaut, Entrepreneur, Author |
| Spouse: | Adela Hernández |
| Children: | 5 |
| Relationship: | Married |
| Net Worth: | $1 million – $3 million |
Early Life
José Moreno Hernández was born on August 7, 1962, in French Camp, California, though he considers Stockton, California, his hometown. He was one of four children born into a family of Mexican migrant farm workers who traveled between Mexico and the United States every year, following seasonal harvests across the California circuit from southern California northward working in the fields from March through November before returning to Mexico for the Christmas holidays.
Growing up in this transient lifestyle, José and his siblings changed schools every few months, making it difficult to form lasting educational foundations. A significant challenge was the language barrier José did not learn to speak English until he was 12 years old.
Despite these obstacles, his parents were, as he has often said, “wise beyond their years.” They instilled in him a relentless work ethic and encouraged his dreams, even when those dreams seemed impossibly far removed from the farm fields of California.
A pivotal moment came when José was about 10 years old and watched the final Apollo moon landing on his family’s black-and-white television set. That moment ignited a dream in him that would take decades and enormous determination to realize. When he was in high school, his family made the decision to settle permanently in Stockton, California, to give their children a more stable education and future.
Education
Once settled in Stockton, José excelled academically. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Pacific in 1984. He went on to earn a Master of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1986. He later received an honorary Doctor of Science degree from the University of the Pacific in 2006.
His academic achievements were remarkable for someone who had spent most of his childhood working in fields and attending multiple schools each year.
Career
After completing his graduate studies, José began his career at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in the early 1990s, where he contributed to groundbreaking work including helping develop the world’s first full-field digital mammography imaging system, a tool now critical in early breast cancer detection.
In 2001, Hernández joined NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. He served as the Branch Chief of the Materials and Processes Branch within the Structural Engineering Division, overseeing a team of 30 professional engineers. His work supported Space Shuttle and International Space Station missions.
After 11 attempts spanning nearly a decade, José was finally selected by NASA as part of the 19th class of astronaut candidates in May 2004. In February 2006, he completed Astronaut Candidate Training, which included scientific briefings, shuttle systems instruction, physiological training, T-38 jet flight training, and water and wilderness survival training.
On August 28, 2009, José flew to space as a Mission Specialist aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-128 the 128th shuttle mission and the 30th mission to the International Space Station. The mission lasted 13 days, 20 hours, and 54 minutes. During the mission, he operated the robotic arm and made history by becoming the first person to communicate in the Spanish language from space, which he did via Twitter. He retired from NASA in January 2011.
After leaving NASA, José founded Tierra Luna Engineering, LLC, served as Executive Director of Strategic Operations at MEI Technologies, and in 2012, ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in California’s 10th Congressional District. He also serves as a Regent of the University of California and is an ambassador for the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Awards & Nominations
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- 2016 National Hispanic Hero Award United States Hispanic Leadership Institute
- Honorary Doctor of Science University of the Pacific (2006)
- Various NASA Achievement Awards during his tenure at Johnson Space Center
Social Media
José Hernández is active on social media, where he continues to inspire young people, particularly those from immigrant communities.
- Twitter/X: @Astro_Jose
- Instagram: @astro_jose
Personal Life
José Hernández is married to Adela Hernández, and the couple has five children together. His family has been central to his story and motivation throughout his career.
In his autobiography Reaching for the Stars, he writes candidly about balancing the demands of a high-achieving career with family life.
His wife Adela is portrayed in the biopic A Million Miles Away (2023) starring Michael Peña as José which was produced in collaboration with Amazon Studios and NASA. The film became a widely celebrated and emotional tribute to the Hernández family’s perseverance.
Net Worth
José Hernández’s estimated net worth is between $1 million and $3 million.
His wealth has been accumulated through his long career as a NASA engineer and astronaut, his work as CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering LLC, keynote speaking engagements, book sales from his autobiography Reaching for the Stars, and his various board and advisory roles. As a sought-after inspirational speaker, he commands significant fees for corporate and academic events worldwide.
FAQs
Who is José Hernández?
José Hernández is a Mexican-American engineer and former NASA astronaut who became the first migrant farm worker to travel to space, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009.
How old is José Hernández?
He was born on August 7, 1962, making him 63 years old as of 2026.
What mission did José Hernández fly?
He flew on NASA’s STS-128 mission aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in August–September 2009.
Is there a movie about José Hernández?
Yes. The Amazon Prime Video film A Million Miles Away (2023), starring Michael Peña, is based on his life story.
Did José Hernández write a book?
Yes. His autobiography is titled Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Story of a Migrant Farmworker Turned Astronaut.
Conclusion
José Moreno Hernández stands as one of the most extraordinary examples of what the human spirit can achieve when fortified by determination, family support, and an unshakeable dream.
From hoeing beet fields in California to floating aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in Earth’s orbit, his journey spans two worlds one defined by poverty and uncertainty, the other by achievement and history.
His message to the world remains simple and powerful: regardless of where you start, with hard work and focus, the stars are never out of reach.
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