In Conversation with Dr. José Hernández

Dr. José Hernández is a former NASA astronaut, engineer, entrepreneur, and author whose groundbreaking career spans the worlds of aerospace, medicine, and education. He currently serves as a University of California Regent and is the President and CEO of Tierra Luna Engineering, an aerospace engineering consulting firm. During his decade at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, he served in key technical and leadership roles — including flight engineer on the penultimate mission of Discovery, where he and his crew delivered more than seven tons of equipment to the ISS. Before joining NASA, Dr. Hernández spent 17 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, contributing to the X-ray laser project and co-developing the first full-field digital mammography system now widely used for early breast cancer detection.

He holds a Master’s degree in Signals and Systems Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of the Pacific, and has been awarded nine honorary doctorates for his contributions to science and society. His autobiography, Reaching for the Stars, served as the foundation for the film A Million Miles Away starring Michael Peña. When he’s not advancing aerospace technology or championing access to education, he is proudly rooted in the land — owning and operating a vineyard, and producing wine under his Tierra Luna Cellars label.

TICKET OPTIONS:

VIP Ticket Buyers: VIP Reception is held in the Legacy Center at Hanna from 5:45-6:45pm. Includes complimentary beer, wine, sparkling water & light appetizers, a 'meet and greet' with the speaker, plus priority seating in the first 4 rows of the auditorium for the speaker presentation (7-8:30pm)

General Admission: Doors open at 6:15pm. Open Seating. Beer ($5), Wine ($7) & Sparkling Water ($3) is available for sale before the Speaker Presentation (7-8:30pm). Cash & credit cards accepted.

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