In the film, Jose Hernandez worked on anti-ICBM missile defense (once called "star wars") while at LLL. He found and solved a problem that saved the project's funding.
Jose Hernandez was also a LLL co-inventor of the digital mammogram. In a 15 September 2023 SF Chronicle interview, Jose considers it to be one of his greatest achievements for the many lives saved.
This didn't make it into the film, but is worth celebrating.
Jose Hernandez was also a LLL co-inventor of the digital mammogram. In a 15 September 2023 SF Chronicle interview, Jose considers it to be one of his greatest achievements for the many lives saved.
This didn't make it into the film, but is worth celebrating.
STS-128 launch vehicle tech "USA 1" who assists Pena (playing Jose) entering Discovery & verifies correct vehicle hatch seal is the actual smiling Jose Hernandez.
According to former NASA pilot aviation specialist and science fiction writer Charlie Justiz, locally made TX tortillas have been going into space on NASA's shuttle and ISS menus since the 1980s.
Tortillas are highly preferred over bread because tortillas don't make crumbs that can clog the atmospheric filters. Since the early 2000s, NASA's tortillas are specially made to last up to 18 months in storage and still remain safe and tasty to eat.
Tortillas are highly preferred over bread because tortillas don't make crumbs that can clog the atmospheric filters. Since the early 2000s, NASA's tortillas are specially made to last up to 18 months in storage and still remain safe and tasty to eat.
Adela Hernandez got to realize her dream of owning and operating a restaurant after Jose took a job as an engineer with NASA, prior to his being accepted into the astronaut candidate program.
Tierra Luna Mexican Grill was located on Saturn Lane in Houston, a short distance from JSC, where Jose worked. Tierra Luna was family owned and operated. In his off hours, Jose really did wait tables and wash dishes there.
Tierra Luna closed in 2011, when Jose retired from NASA and the family moved to Lodi, Ca.
The Tierra Luna name lives on in Jose's engineering firm, as well as the family's vineyard and bottled wine.
Tierra Luna Mexican Grill was located on Saturn Lane in Houston, a short distance from JSC, where Jose worked. Tierra Luna was family owned and operated. In his off hours, Jose really did wait tables and wash dishes there.
Tierra Luna closed in 2011, when Jose retired from NASA and the family moved to Lodi, Ca.
The Tierra Luna name lives on in Jose's engineering firm, as well as the family's vineyard and bottled wine.
Based on the true story of José Moreno Hernández, the first Hispanic migrant to become a NASA astronaut.