An inventor, a research scientist, and an astronaut. Sounds like a member of the comic book team, The Fantastic Four, but in fact it’s the biography of inventor, scientist, and astronaut Ellen Ochoa.

Ochoa, who received a BS in physics from San Diego State University and a doctorate in electrical engineering from Stanford, co-invented an optical system that can detect imperfections in repeating patterns. Patented in 1987, its uses include quality control in the manufacturer of highly intricate parts. Dr. Ochoa also shared a patent as a co-inventor on an optical system that can be used in robotically making products, as well as a system that helps to remove unwanted visual information in images.

In 1990, Dr. Ochoa was chosen to be an astronaut for NASA – the first Hispanic female to receive that accomplishment – and she has logged over 719 hours in space in three flights – including a 10-day mission aboard the Discovery space shuttle in 1999.

Her roles on the space flights have included mission specialist, flight engineer, and Payload Commander, and she flew on flights in 1993, 1994, 1999, and 2002. While at the NASA Ames Research Center, Ochoa headed up a group of researchers working to invent new optical systems for unmanned spacecraft.

A classical flutist and a pilot as well as an inventor, scientist and astronaut, Ochoa’s name will be remembered for a long time by students in schools in Washington state and California, if they attend either of the two schools named for her – the Ellen Ochoa Middle School in Pasco, Washington and the Ellen Ochoa Learning Center in Cudahy, California.

In 2008, Ochoa was named Deputy Director at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, following a stint as director of flight crew operations. She is also the recipient of a several honors from NASA, including the Distinguished Service Medal, the Exceptional Service Medal, the Outstanding Leadership Medal, and four Space Flight Medals.

Even if you’re not an astronaut, you want to develop and market an invention of your own. Be sure to check out www.inventionresource.com.