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HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE www.hnmagazine.com
STEM
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pace For Humanity, a nonprofit organization, announced its selection committee has chosen Katya Echazarreta to become the organiza- tion's first ever citizen astronaut ambassador. Katya became the first Mexican-born woman to fly to space when she flew aboard Blue Origin's NS-21 light. Katya, an electrical and computer engineer and online science educator, was selected from more than 7,000 applicants from over 100 countries to fly on New Shepard and experience the cognitive shift of the Overview Effect. The five other crew mem- bers included Evan Dick, Hamish Harding, Victor Correa Hespanha, Jaison Robinson and Victor Vescovo. It still feels surreal that I am going to get to experience something that so few people in the world have ever experienced, especially because visiting space is a dream I've had for as long as I can remember, said Katya prior to the flight. I am honored to be representing not just Space for Humanity in this mission, but also all of the little girls and women out there who are dreaming of achieving something bigger. Those that maybe just need an extra nudge or an example of someone who looks or sounds like them to help encourage them to take the next step towards their dream. I cannot wait to experience the Overview Effect and share more about my adventure with the world! At just 26 years old, Katya is an accomplished role model in the STEM community. As a female Mexican engineer working in the space industry, she is not only passionate about electrical engineer- ing, but also in supporting other women who have big aspirations but may be deterred from a sector dominated by men. Katya is a UCLA graduate with a bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and is completing her master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. She worked as an electrical engineer on five NASA missions including the Perseverance Rover and Europa Clipper missions. She also currently co- hosts the YouTube series Netflix IRL and Electric Kat on the CBS show Mission Unstoppable while she works on writing her first book. With a prolific social media following in both English and Spanish on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, Katya is creating content to empower women in STEM. Katya was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, moved to the U.S. at age seven and was separated from her family for five years during the immigration process. My Grandmother told me to 'remember that even though we are apart, we are under the same sky.'
The First Mexican-Born Woman To Take Flight
SPACE FOR HUMANITY
Katya Echazarreta joined five other crew members in a life-changing journey as Space For Humanity's first citizen astronaut ambassador and first Mexican-born woman to visit space.
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