Ellen Ochoa
Engineer, astronaut & inventor
Engineering a station in orbit
Before STS-96, Ochoa discusses her route into spaceflight and the practical challenge of assembling the International Space Station.
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A career becomes possible
Ochoa describes how her early interest in exploration became a realistic career option as eligibility for the astronaut program changed. Research, engineering and spaceflight came together when she learned more about the program during graduate school.
Building without a full rehearsal
The preflight discussion explains why station assembly is unusually demanding. Spacewalks and robotic-arm operations offer limited visibility, and the entire system cannot be tested together on the ground. Ochoa outlines the preparation and care required as separate flights contribute to a much larger orbital structure.
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