Loral O'Hara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loral O'Hara
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NASA portrait, 2023
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| Born |
Loral Ashley O'Hara
May 3, 1983 |
| Space career | |
| NASA astronaut | |
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Time in space
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203 days, 15 hours and 33 minutes |
| Selection | NASA Group 22 (2017) |
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Total EVAs
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1 |
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Total EVA time
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6h 43m |
| Missions | Soyuz MS-24 (Expedition 69/70) |
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Mission insignia
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Loral Ashley O'Hara (born May 3, 1983) is an American engineer and a NASA astronaut. She is an expert in how things work and how to build them, especially for space travel.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Loral O'Hara was born on May 3, 1983, in Houston, Texas. She grew up in Sugar Land, Texas.
She studied aerospace engineering at the University of Kansas. This is a field that deals with designing and building aircraft and spacecraft. She earned her first degree in 2005. Later, in 2009, she got a master's degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University.
While she was a student, Loral took part in a special program. It was called the KC-135 Reduced Gravity Student Flight Opportunities Program. This program let her experience what it feels like to be in space, where there is very little gravity.
Engineering Career
Before becoming an astronaut, Loral O'Hara worked as an engineer. She worked for a company called Rocketplane Limited.
In 2009, she started working at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. This place studies the ocean. Loral helped improve a special underwater vehicle called DSV Alvin. This vehicle can go deep into the ocean. She also worked with another robot vehicle called Jason. She helped process the data these robots collected from the ocean floor.
Becoming a NASA Astronaut
Loral O'Hara always had an interest in space. She took part in the NASA Academy at Goddard Space Flight Center. She also had an internship at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. These experiences helped her learn more about space missions.
In June 2017, NASA chose her to be an astronaut candidate. She began her training a couple of months later. On January 10, 2020, she officially became a NASA astronaut. This meant she was ready and eligible to fly into space.
Her Space Missions
On July 15, 2022, NASA announced that Loral would fly to the International Space Station (ISS). She was supposed to go on a spacecraft called Soyuz MS-23. However, there was a problem with another Soyuz spacecraft, Soyuz MS-22. Because of this, her mission was changed.
Loral O'Hara finally launched into space aboard the Soyuz MS-24 spacecraft. This happened on September 15, 2023. She spent over 200 days living and working on the International Space Station. She was part of Expedition 69 and Expedition 70. She returned to Earth on April 6, 2024.
Personal Life and Hobbies
Loral O'Hara has many interesting hobbies. She is a private pilot, which means she can fly small planes. She is also trained to help people in medical emergencies, especially in the wilderness.
She loves to travel and enjoy outdoor activities. Some of her favorite things to do include whitewater rafting, surfing, diving, and sailing. She also enjoys skiing, hiking, and exploring caves. When she wants to relax, she likes reading and painting.
Awards and Honors
Loral O'Hara has received some special awards. In 2008, she was given a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. This award helps students who are doing important research.
In 2015, she was invited to speak at a TEDx event in New Bedford. TEDx talks are where people share "ideas worth spreading."
See also
In Spanish: Loral O'Hara para niños
