Joseph M. Acaba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
| Astronaut | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | May 17, 1967 Inglewood, California |
| Occupation1 | Hydrogeologist |
| Space time | 0 |
| Selection | 2004 |
| Mission(s) | |
| 1 previous or current | |
Joseph Michael "Joe" Acaba (born May 17, 1967) is an American teacher, hydrogeologist and astronaut candidate. In May 2004 he became the first person of Puerto Rican heritage to be named as a NASA astronaut candidate when he was selected as a member of NASA Astronaut Training Group 19.[1] He completed his training on February 10, 2006.
Contents |
[edit] Biography
Acaba's parents, Ralph and Elise Acaba, moved from Puerto Rico in the mid-1960s to Inglewood, California. They later moved to Anaheim in the same state. Joseph Acaba was born on May 17, 1967 in Inglewood. Since childhood, Acaba has always enjoyed reading, especially science fiction. In school, he also excelled in both science and math. As a child, his parents would always expose him to educational films, but, it was the 8-mm film showing Astronaut Neil Armstrong's Moon landing which really intrigued him about outer space. In 1985, he graduated with honors from Esperanza High School in Anaheim.
In 1990, Acaba received his Bachelor's Degree in Geology from the University of California and in 1992, he earned his Master's Degree in Geology from the University of Arizona. Acaba was an officer in the United States Marine Corps Reserves. He also worked as a hydrogeologist in Los Angeles, California. Acaba spent two years in the United States Peace Corps and trained over 300 teachers in the Dominican Republic in modern teaching methodologies. He then served as Island Manager of the Caribbean Marine Research at Lee Stocking Island in the Exumas, Bahamas. Upon his return to the U.S., Acaba moved to Florida where he became Shoreline Revegetation Coordinator in Vero Beach. Acaba taught one year of science and math in high school and four years at the Dunnellon Middle School.
On May 6, 2004, Acaba and ten other people where selected among 99 applicants by NASA as astronaut candidates. NASA's administrator, Sean O'Keefe, in the presence of John Glenn, announced the members of the "19th group of Astronaut Candidates", an event which hasn't been repeated since 1958 when the original group of astronauts was presented to the world. Mission Specialist-Educator Joseph "Joe" M. Acaba, along with 10 other Astronaut Candidates completed their astronaut training on February 10, 2006. Acaba will serve with the Hardware Integration Team in the Space Station Branch doing technical assignments until he is assigned to a space flight.
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes
- ^ Astronaut Class of 2004 (Group 19). NASA. Retrieved on November 26, 2006.
[edit] References
- This article incorporates text in the public domain from the NASA, a U.S. Government agency.
- Astronaut Bio: Joseph Acaba. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (February 2006). Retrieved on November 26, 2006.
- Joe Acaba, Mission Specialist-Educator. 2004 Astronaut Class. NASA (May 6, 2004). Retrieved on November 26, 2006.
- Meet NASA's Future Explorer - Joe Acaba. NASA (September 23, 2004). Retrieved on November 26, 2006.
[edit] External links
- Spacefacts biography of Joseph Acaba
- NASA Hispanic Astronauts. National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Retrieved on November 26, 2006.
