Ellen Ochoa is a former astronaut and current Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Center. Ochoa became the first Hispanic woman in space when she served on a nine-day mission aboard the shuttle Discovery in 1993. The astronauts were studying the Earth's ozone layer. Ochoa was selected by NASA in January 1990 and became an astronaut in July 1991. Her technical assignments in the Astronaut Office includes serving as the crew representative for flight software, computer hardware and robotics, Assistant for Space Station to the Chief of the Astronaut Office, lead spacecraft communicator(CAPCOM) in Mission Control, and as acting as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office. A veteran of four Space flights, Ochoa has logged over 978 hours in space. She is currently Deputy Director of the Johnson Space Center, helping to manage and direct the Astronaut Office and Aircraft Operations, and is retired from spacecraft operations.

Born May 10, 1958 her primary personality traits are represented by the Chinese Zodiac elemental animal, the Earth Dog. The honorable Dog is the sign most likely to speak out about wrongs in the world and to call for justice. She has a strong sense of fair play and is usually forthright and outspoken. Loyalty and patriotism are near and dear to her heart. She respects the flag and is moved in her heart when the national anthem is played. Although she is outspoken, she is not one to rail against her country, and she is discreet and can be trusted to hold what we tell her in confidence. The Earth Dog is not going to try to wow you and will likely prefer a quiet kind of lifestyle. We shouldn't be fooled though; she is solid--- a tough survivor with excellent judgment. She is, however, the least social of the species. Still, she is very loyal to whatever group she joins and can be counted upon to be an excellent team member.