posted 01-14-2011 02:41 PM               

Astronaut Jose Hernandez Leaves NASA

After a decade working in various roles, astronaut Jose Hernandez has left NASA for a position in the aerospace industry.

"Jose's talent and dedication have contributed greatly to the agency, and he is an inspiration to many," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "We wish him all the best with this new phase of his career."

The son of Mexican migrant farm workers, he joined NASA in 2001 as a materials research engineer at Johnson. He was promoted to the Materials and Processes Branch chief in 2002 and served there until he was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004.

During the STS-128 shuttle mission in 2009, he managed the transfer of more than 18,000 pounds of supplies and equipment between the shuttle and International Space Station and assisted with robotics operations. He also served as a flight engineer in the shuttle's cockpit during launch and landing.

posted 01-14-2011 03:00 PM               

He most recently was serving in Washington as the space agency's liaison between the White House and Congress.

Now that his desk assignment is complete, Hernandez is faced with choosing whether to make another space trip: a six-month mission to the International Space Station.

It would require him first to train at a foreign space agency for 21/2 years.

"It's a pretty demanding job," Hernandez said, and one that would require greater sacrifices from his wife, Adela, and their five children. It would mean he would be away from them for three years.

"I think they prefer I don't make that commitment," he said. Hernandez said he plans to make a decision this month.

"I'm still on the fence. ... At this point, you have to say maybe it's enough. Maybe I've done what I want to do."

posted 01-14-2011 03:46 PM               

I remember during a shuttle mission that took place soon after their opening, we ordered from Tierra Luna and had it delivered to the Johnson Space Center newsroom. Soon after, the restaurant became a favorite spot for the press to go after briefings or covering a spacewalk.

It's not unusual to see Jose there, and on our visits, he would sometimes sit with us and chat. His children work there too, as did the son of at least one other astronaut.

posted 01-14-2011 07:23 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by Robert Pearlman:
Tierra Luna opened in May 2007. Adela, Jose's wife, developed the menu based on her family's recipes.

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posted 06-25-2011 05:16 PM               

Just where he'll live - and where he'll run - hinges on proposed new congressional district lines being drawn all over California. Hernandez, 48, is waiting until final boundaries are determined before deciding where to run...

"It would be just taking advantage of an opportunity where there is no incumbent," Hernandez said.

A resident of Houston, Hernandez considers Stockton his home. He is a graduate of Franklin High School and of University of the Pacific's electrical-engineering program.

He spent most of his life in San Joaquin County. In 2004, he relocated to Texas after accepting a position with NASA...

"I have to ask myself, am I ready to go back to government?" Hernandez said.

Hernandez said he is looking at public office because he wants to help improve the area's educational achievement and economic development.

That includes addressing high school graduation rates and college readiness as well as attracting technology-based companies to the San Joaquin Valley.

posted 10-05-2011 07:02 AM               

The 49-year-old former NASA astronaut, a Democrat, filed papers this week forming a campaign committee. After weeks of hinting he would run for public office, the Hernandez for Congress Committee is official.

The new 10th Congressional District includes Manteca and Tracy.

"I have gone to pursue a dream of reaching for the stars, which I did," Hernandez said. "And now I want to pursue other dreams."

Hernandez, who grew up in Stockton, said he has resigned from MEI Technologies, a Houston-based engineering firm, to "explore" his bid for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Hernandez said he has been encouraged by Democratic leaders, but he is waiting until Tuesday (Oct. 11) to make a formal announcement.

posted 03-24-2012 03:42 PM               

In a pointed new challenge, a Sacramento law firm is asking a judge to block Hernandez from describing himself as an "astronaut/scientist/engineer" on the June ballot. The lawsuit notes Hernandez has left NASA.

"Hernandez's attempted use of 'astronaut' violates the Election Code's unambiguous requirement that a candidate's ballot designation reflect one's current profession, vocation, or one held during the previous calendar year," the lawsuit states.

...[Hernandez] reported that he received no income from NASA in 2011," the lawsuit states, adding that "astronaut is not a title one carries for life."

posted 03-24-2012 06:20 PM               

And Glenn hasn't been a senator in how long?

I may err on the side of formality, but I always use a person's title, even if they are retired, e.g., I call out, "Excuse me, Colonel?" rather than "Excuse me, Mr. Garan?"

posted 03-25-2012 05:03 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Delta7:
Talk about grasping at straws. Must be his opponents think Hernandez has a decent chance of winning.

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I don't think they are saying he cannot describe himself as a former astronaut. They are (I think) saying that election code prohibits someone from listing their employment on the election ballot if they are not currently serving in that capacity or if they have not served in that capacity in the past calendar year.

posted 03-25-2012 11:17 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by KSCartist:
It's the same kind of small minded thinking that made Bob Hope blur Glenn's face when he broadcast his NASA 25th Anniversary special in 1983 because Glenn was running for President.

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posted 03-26-2012 02:19 PM               

We're going to court...

Here's something I thought I'd never say: I have to go to court to defend calling myself an "astronaut".

Last week, Sacramento Republicans with ties to Rep. Denham filed a lawsuit claiming I cannot refer to myself as an "astronaut" on the ballot. That's no joke — and on Thursday, I'll have to send a team to fight back against the same old Washington political games Denham and his pals at the CA GOP are playing.

I consider myself so lucky that I was able to go from being a son of San Joaquin Valley migrant workers to an astronaut. It was my American Dream — and I won't let these right-wing Republicans take it from me.

That's why I've directed my campaign and our attorneys to vigorously defeat these outrageous charges.

Thursday is the day we head to court and make our voices heard that the politics of Washington will fail because the American people are sick and tired of them. I will defend my record, my honor, and the title I earned by launching into space in August of 2009.

posted 03-26-2012 06:06 PM               

In lieu of that, here is a copy of the Candidate Guide for San Joaquin County for the upcoming election.

Take a look at page 38, entitled "Candidate's Ballot Designation". It lists 4 options for placing "...not more than 3 words ... which will appear on the ballot under the candidate’s name, designating the current principal profession, vocation or occupation of the candidate."

Now look at item #3: "No more than three words designating either the current principal professions ..., vocations ..., or occupations ... of the candidate, or the principal professions, vocations or occupations of the candidate during the calendar year immediately preceding the filing of nomination documents."

Maybe the legal-eze in the actual Election Code gives some wiggle room. Looks pretty straight-forward to me though.

One would think the petitioners would have contacted the Secretary of State (Debra Bowen-D) and/or election commission in San Joaquin County first, and then only file a law suit if it looked as though the SecState was going to allow it.

posted 03-27-2012 11:20 AM            

While the word is a job title, it also seems to be a word that, once given, does not leave the person's self-description, much like a doctorate. It's definitely a gray area with a lot of room for debate.

...[Hernández] reported that he received no income from NASA in 2011," the lawsuit states, adding that "astronaut is not a title one carries for life."

I would think that point in particular would be a very ill-advised one to raise in a lawsuit, considering how many former astronauts and former astronaut organizations work on the apparent assumption that it is.

John Glenn was mentioned in this thread. I have read that when Glenn first ran for Congress, his opponent (Howard Metzenbaum) castigated him, saying that Glenn had "never worked for a living." It was just the opening Glenn needed to indignantly list his incredible achievements.

posted 03-27-2012 01:04 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by FFrench:
I found this an intriguing question. Most long-retired astronauts I know of generally are referred to, and sometimes refer to themselves, as astronauts, not former astronauts. Hence we don't have the Former Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, for example.

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posted 03-27-2012 03:34 PM               

Now if we are talking about the election ballot itself, i.e. the piece of paper that voters get on election day, than I find that a bit unusual. Granted in my home state, all we get is the person's name, their party affiliation (if applicable) and an oval to darken. I've never seen a California ballot, so I don't know what can appear on them.

posted 03-27-2012 10:07 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Jay Chladek:
Personally, I think regardless of how the court case turns out, this lawsuit is playing into the hands of Hernandez anyway and it is an ill advised play by a Republican Party law firm to do that when their funds could be better spent elsewhere.

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Some of them would vote for the "astronaut" because they have no idea who to vote for, and if "astronaut" were his occupation in the past year then election code would allow him to put that directly below his name on the ballot.

posted 03-27-2012 10:46 PM               

Of course, in the House of Representatives, a good title might get you in for one term. But if you aren't delivering what the people you represent feel you should be delivering, you will be out of office in two years anyway (a seeming blink in the political landscape compared to a four year Presidential term or a six year Senate term).

In my home state of Nebraska, University of Nebraska college football is a big thing around here since we have no major professional sports team. A few years ago former NU football coach Tom Osborne ran for US Congress. He won and served three terms (six years). But when he tried to run for governor of the state, he was defeated and he dropped out of a re-election bid to Congress to concentrate on the governors campaign.

Many considered him a shoe-in, given he was still popular in the state among NU football fans (and football coach many people nationwide consider to be a more important job than astronaut).

posted 03-29-2012 08:11 PM               

Judge Lloyd Connelly rejected Republican arguments that Hernandez did not work as an astronaut in the year before filing his candidacy and cannot list "astronaut/scientist/engineer" on the ballot as his occupation.

He said Hernandez is an astronaut for "more than the time spent riding a rocket."

"I am glad that common sense prevailed and we were able to defeat this lawsuit and get back to talking about real issues," Hernandez said in a statement.

[Rep. Jeff] Denham has not commented on the lawsuit, which was filed by a pastor in the district. But the law firm handling the case has ties to Denham and the California Republican Party, which issued a statement criticizing the judge's ruling Thursday.

"Allowing a candidate out of nowhere to use the profession of 'astronaut' when he hasn't served in that profession recently, is akin to allowing someone to use a title of 'sailor' when they no longer own or operate a ship," spokeswoman Jennifer Kerns said in a statement.

posted 03-30-2012 12:50 PM               

We did it!

Even a California Superior Court Judge agrees, I am an astronaut!

Jeff Denham's despicable attempt to distract you from the real campaign failed miserably.

It's absurd that they attacked me for telling Californians that I'm an astronaut! I was honored to fly on the Discovery Space Shuttle to the International Space Station, it’s one of my greatest memories.

I grew up working the fields in the San Joaquin Valley. I reached for the stars. And, I achieved my dream. I flew in space. I lived the American Dream.

And, today, that American Dream is under assault. It's under assault from people like Jeff Denham who are so desperate to win that they will attack and smear my life story...

Thank you so much for believing in me. Together, we will not only prove that I am an astronaut, we will prove that the American Dream is alive and well.

posted 11-07-2012 07:09 AM               

Astronaut Jose Hernandez loses to farmer in congressional race

California voters on Tuesday (Nov. 6) scrubbed the congressional launch of former astronaut Jose Hernandez, who had been seeking a new mission in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Hernandez, who would have been the sixth U.S. astronaut in history to be elected to Congress, was passed over by voters in California's 10th District, who elected Republican freshman incumbent Jeff Denham, an almond farmer and Air Force veteran, instead.

Hernandez received 46.2 percent of the votes.

posted 09-01-2014 09:26 PM               

Milk Fuels A Better Future

Astronaut Jose Hernandez reminds parents how today's choices last forever

Although parents don't always realize it, the advice they give and the nutritional choices they make can have a life-long effect on their children. This parental influence is the motivation behind the California Milk Processor Board (CMPB)'s new campaign launching today (Aug. 20).

The new ads by the creator of got milk? and toma leche remind parents how choosing milk sets the foundation for proper nutrition and future success. Former NASA Engineer Jose M. Hernandez knows this first-hand and is partnering with got milk? to bring the ads' message to life for Californians. Hernandez will visit select markets and relate to audiences how early choices, like choosing milk, set the foundation children need to reach for the stars, especially around Back to School.

Despite Hernandez' humble upbringing, his family — migrant farm workers who travelled from Mexico to California's Central Valley nine months out of the year to work the strawberry fields — encouraged his dream of one day traveling to space. His father, with only a third grade education, ingrained in him that school and positive choices could help him achieve his life-long goals. Eventually, after a series of positive choices, Hernandez became an award-winning engineer who flew on Space Shuttle Discovery aboard the 128th shuttle mission in 2009.

In a similar vein, the new got milk? and toma leche ads encourage parents to make a positive impact in their children's life through milk. One television spot, "Champion" shows a young girl meeting her future self in a supermarket. As the girl starts drinking milk, she watches herself become an Olympian — the more she drinks, the more she achieves! The girl's mom excitedly loads up the shopping cart with milk. Another spot, "Brave" shows a firefighter reminiscing on his mother's words of comfort and how that inspired him to conquer his fears and help others. When he drinks milk, he acknowledges his mother's positive influence. Both spots reveal how one of the earliest choices parents face, proper nutrition with milk, can fuel children's lives.

"To reach their dreams students need to prepare and focus," said Hernandez, a California Central Valley native. "Good nutrition is an essential part of preparation. It helps kids perform their best in school and be on their way to a better future."

Today Hernandez inspires students of all ages to learn about the importance of math, science and proper nutrition through his non-profit organization, The Reaching for the Stars Foundation.

"Hernandez' life accomplishments mirror the message of our new ads," said Steve James, Executive Director of the CMPB. "Whether we're raising a future firefighter, Olympian or astronaut, the choices we make today, like drinking a glass of milk, can lead our children to a better tomorrow."

To view the new got milk? and toma leche spots and to learn more on how got milk? is making a difference this school year, visit gotmilk.com.

posted 05-15-2016 10:20 PM               

Julio Hernandez now hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father, who served as the flight engineer aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2009.

"One small step toward a larger goal of becoming an astronaut," Julio Hernandez said.

posted 11-02-2017 09:07 AM               

José M. Hernandez fought from humble beginnings to reach the stars — and he did. After being rejected 11 times, he earned the title of U.S. astronaut at the age of 42. Learn more about José's fighting spirit here.