Franklin Chang-Díaz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Franklin Chang-Díaz
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Chang-Díaz in 1997
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Franklin Ramón Chang-Díaz
April 5, 1950 San José, Costa Rica
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| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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66d 18h 16m |
| Selection | NASA Group 9 (1980) |
| Missions | STS-61-C STS-34 STS-46 STS-60 STS-75 STS-91 STS-111 |
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Mission insignia
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Franklin Ramón Chang-Díaz (born April 5, 1950) is an American engineer, physicist, and former NASA astronaut. He is the founder and CEO of Ad Astra Rocket Company. He became an American citizen in 1977.
He has flown on seven Space Shuttle missions, which ties the record for the most spaceflights. He was the first Latin American immigrant chosen by NASA to go into space. Chang-Díaz is also a member of NASA's Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Franklin Ramón Chang-Díaz was born in San José, Costa Rica on April 5, 1950. His father, Ramón Ángel Chang Morales, was an oil worker. His mother was María Eugenia Díaz. Franklin was one of six children.
He finished high school in Costa Rica in 1967. Then, he moved to the United States to study more. He graduated from Hartford Public High School in Connecticut in 1969.
He went to the University of Connecticut and earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1973. After that, he studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, he earned his Ph.D. in applied plasma physics in 1977. His research at MIT focused on nuclear fusion technology and special rocket engines that use plasma.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
NASA chose Chang-Díaz to become an astronaut in 1980. His first trip to space was on the Space Shuttle mission STS-61-C in 1986. He flew on many more missions after that.
His space missions included:
During mission STS-111, he performed three spacewalks. He did these spacewalks with astronaut Philippe Perrin to help build the International Space Station (ISS). From 1993 to 2005, he also directed the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center. Chang-Díaz retired from NASA in 2005.
After NASA: Rockets and the Environment
After leaving NASA, Chang-Díaz started the Ad Astra Rocket Company. This company works on developing advanced plasma rocket technology. They created the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). This is an electric engine for use in space.
The VASIMR rocket can achieve very high speeds. With enough power, it could theoretically take a crewed rocket to Mars in just 39 days!
Chang-Díaz also cares a lot about protecting the environment. He works to raise awareness about climate change. He was part of Odyssey 2050 The Movie, where he encouraged young people to get involved in environmental issues.
He is also a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University.
Awards and Special Recognitions
In 1986, Franklin Chang-Díaz received the Medal of Liberty. On May 5, 2012, he was inducted into the NASA Astronaut Hall of Fame. This ceremony took place at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Because of his amazing career and scientific achievements, he has received many honors in Costa Rica. The national legislature even named him an "Honor Citizen." The Costa Rican National High Technology Center (CeNAT) is also named after him. In 2014, he received the "Buzz Aldrin Quadrennial Space Award." Buzz Aldrin, who was a hero to Chang-Díaz when he was a child, presented him with this award.
See also
In Spanish: Franklin Chang-Díaz para niños
- List of Asian American astronauts
- List of Hispanic astronauts
- Space exploration
