NASA astronaut José Hernández inspires students during visit to Tri-Cities

Surrounded by students seeking autographs and photos, astronaut José Hernández finished one of his conferences at Pasco High School.

Hernández, a former farmworker who went on to work for NASA, was just a child when he decided to pursue his dream of being an astronaut.

He visited Eastern Washington and shared his story of resilience and determination with local students at Pasco High School and Columbia Basin College. He also shared his story during a leadership event hosted by Scouting America Blue Mountain Council at the Pasco Red Lion.

“The sky’s not the limit, the stars are. I’m living proof of that,” Hernández said.

He became one of the first Mexican American astronauts to complete a mission to the International Space Station. 

According to the NASA website, he made his one spaceflight as a mission specialist on STS-128 in 2009, an expedition that delivered supplies to the space station. He logged 14 days in space.

“José Hernández’s journey is a testament to the idea that with hard work and determination, anything is possible,” Veronica Machado, Pasco High School’s principal, said in a press release.

Hernández’s life inspired the movie “A Million Miles Away.” During his visit to Pasco High, he shared the scene when a young Hernández, played by actor Michael Peña, tells his then-girlfriend, Adela, his dream: “I want to be an astronaut.”

Hernández said he kept following his dad’s recipe to succeed.

“Determine your purpose in life. Recognize how far you are. Develop a roadmap so you know how to get there,” he said. “Prepare yourself according to the challenge and develop a work ethic second to none.” 

Hernandez said there is an additional and crucial ingredient — perseverance.

“It’s never give up. I tell the story of being rejected by NASA not once, not twice, but 11 times. It wasn’t until the 12th time that I got selected,” he said.

His perseverance earned him a spot as a NASA astronaut in 2004. Prior to his selection as an astronaut, Hernández joined the Materials and Processes Branch at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston in 2001.

He told the students it doesn’t matter where people start; it’s where they end up.

Hernández said many people tried to discourage him, so he started sharing his dream only with those who could encourage him.

“He inspires me because in the future I want to be like him — an astronaut — and fulfill a dream like going to the moon to visit,” said Pasco High student Limber Benito in Spanish. 

Fernando Barrios, another student, also felt motivated by Hernandez’s words.

“I want to join the military, and it motivates me to put more effort into my studies so I can graduate,” Barrios said in Spanish.

Michelle Smith, the assistant principal at Pasco High, said she’s glad students are listening to people like Hernández, who share similar life experiences and can motivate them.

“When you find someone who shows you that if you just keep at it, you can continue with your dream and persevere over everything that seems impossible, those are the people you want in front of your students,” Smith said.

Hernández said education was an equalizer that helped him to accomplish his dream. He encourages parents to be involved in their children’s education and participate in activities that interest them.

Looking at the Earth from space is beautiful and raises awareness about the importance of taking care of it, Hernandez said. 

Hernández retired from NASA and continues working as an aerospace consultant.

“We just worked on a project where we sent a package on a probe to the surface of the moon,” he said, speaking about his consultancy work.

He’s also returned to the farming industry, this time as a vineyard owner.  Today, he owns a vineyard in California — Tierra Luna Cellars.