JOSÉ M. HERNÁNDEZ

NASA ASTRONAUT (FORMER)

PERSONAL DATA: Born August 7, 1962 in French Camp, California. Considers 

Stockton, California, to be his hometown.

EDUCATION: B.S., Electrical Engineering, University of the Pacific, 1984.

M.S., Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of CaliforniaSanta Barbara, 1986. 

ORGANIZATIONS: Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), 

Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES).

SPECIAL HONORS: Ph.D. Science, University of the Pacific (honoris causa), 

2006. NASA Service Awards (2002, 2003), Lawrence Livermore National 

Laboratory “Outstanding Engineer Award” (2001), Upward Bound National TRIO 

Achiever Award (2001), U.S. Department of Energy “Outstanding Performance 

Commendation” (2000), Society of Mexican American Engineers and Scientists (MAES) “Medalla de Oro” recipient for 

professional and community contributions (1999), Hispanic Engineer National Achievement Award, “Outstanding Technical 

Contribution” (1995), Graduate Engineering Minority Fellow (GEM) (1985), and Eta Kappa Nu Electrical Engineering 

Honor Society member.

EXPERIENCE: 1987-2001 were spent at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California.

1987-1991 Electronics Engineer, Material Analysis Group. Refined signal and image processing skills for applications in 

radar imaging, computed tomography, acoustic imaging and other non-destructive evaluation techniques.

1991-1994 Electronics Engineer, Chemistry and Material Science Group. Developed quantitative x-ray film imaging 

analysis techniques that allowed the characterization of low-density materials for use in the development of an X-Ray laser as 

part of the Strategic Defense Initiative Program. Developed material x-ray transport models that allowed for the development 

of human tissue absorbed dose models useful for medical imaging applications.

1994-1996 Group Leader, Chemistry and Material Science Group. Managed the career development of twenty-nine 

professional technical staff members who supported chemistry and materials science research activities. Identified and 

developed the Group’s programmatic research support opportunities. Carried out own research activities as a principal 

investigator in the area of x-ray physics and image processing.

1996-1999 Deputy Program Manager, Highly Enriched Uranium Implementation Program. Responsible for the 

implementation of a signed bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Russian Federation for the U.S. purchase of highly 

enriched uranium (HEU) in the form of low enriched uranium (LEU) derived from the dismantlement of Russian nuclear 

weapons. Responsibilities included utilizing national laboratory resources for the purpose of ensuring the U.S. government 

that the LEU purchased was derived from dismantled nuclear weapons. This was accomplished by developing technical 

training modules for U.S. multi-lab and multi-agency experts, which allowed them to visit Russian facilities and effectively 

perform inspections in accordance to U.S.-Russian signed agreements, protocols and annexes. Fiscal planning responsibilities 

for the $16 Million multi-lab implementation budget and direct oversight of the $6 million annual budget for the Lawrence 

Livermore National Laboratory component.

1999-2001 Program Manager, Office of International Material Protection and Emergency Cooperation. On a two-year 

change-of-station assignment at the U.S. Department of Energy, Washington, D.C. Managed the integration and allocation of 

Department of Energy assets and expertise, including the national laboratories and contractors, in planning, directing, and 

- more -

National Aeronautics and

Space Administration

Biographical Data

 Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

 Houston, Texas 77058
implementing U.S. cooperation with the Russian Federation in the program of Nuclear Materials, Protection, Control and 

Accounting (MPC&A). Developed and implemented policies, strategies and plans and objectives to enhance U.S. national 

security and reduce threat of nuclear proliferation and nuclear terrorism. These goals were accomplished by rapidly 

improving the security of large quantities of attractive, weapons-usable nuclear material at the closed Ministry of Atomic 

Energy (MinAtom) cities that compromise Russia’s nuclear weapons complex. Proposed, defended and executed annual 

budget of over $14 million to support extensive engineering, technical safety, security, and environmental research and policy 

development with regard to MPC&A at three of the seven MinAtom sites.

Feb 11-Present Executive Director for Strategic Operations at MEI Technologies, Inc. (MEIT) located in Houston, TX.

NASA EXPERIENCE: 

In 2001, Hernandez joined the Johnson Space Center, in Houston, Texas.

During his NASA career, Hernandez had the following duties:

Mar 01-Jan 02 Materials Research Engineer, Materials & Processes Branch. Developed, evaluated, and selected advanced 

structural materials to aircraft and spacecraft structures and their power and propulsion systems. Conducted research in basic 

engineering materials and apply general engineering mechanics principles to define material behavior. Designed and fielded 

radiation effects experiments for electronic hardware. Served as the Engineering Directorate's liaison on the electrical wire 

integrity interagency working group.

Jan 02-Jun 04 Branch Chief, Materials, & Processes Branch. Materials and Processes (M&P) branch chief within the 

Structural Engineering Division. Duties included managing the careers of 30 professional civil servants with diverse set of 

skills in materials science. Also serve as the overall technical monitor of contractor support that included more than 20 

contractors. Responsible for the oversight of the branch’s activities in the areas of materials and processes, fracture control, 

non destructive evaluation, failure analysis, and nano materials research. More specifically, managed branch resources to 

address materials usage issues with respect to flammability, toxicity, contamination, space environment compatibility, and 

corrosion. Materials testing and fracture control analysis of flight and non-flight hardware were also significant activities 

within the branch. Served as the project lead for the development of a space qualified bore scope for future on-orbit EVA 

inspection applications.

May 2004 Selected by NASA as an Astronaut Candidate. In February 2006, he completed Astronaut Candidate Training that 

included scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, 

physiological training, T-38 flight training, and water and wilderness survival training. Hernandez was assigned to the 

Astronaut Office Shuttle Branch supporting Shuttle launch and landing preparations at Kennedy Space Center. He also 

trained as Mission Control Capsule Communicator. In 2010, he was on detail at NASA Headquarters’ Office of Legislative 

and Intergovernmental affairs. 

He departed NASA in January 2011.

SPACE FLIGHT EXPERIENCE: STS-128 Discovery (August 28 to September 11, 2009) was the 128th Shuttle mission 

and the 30th mission to the International Space Station. While at the orbital outpost, the STS-128 crew rotated an expedition 

crewmember, attached the Leonardo Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM), and transferred over 18,000 pounds of 

supplies and equipment to the station. The STS-128 crew conducted three spacewalks. The STS-128 mission was 

accomplished in 217 orbits of the Earth, traveling over 5.7 million miles in 332 hours and 53 minutes and returned to land at 

Edwards Air Force Base, California.

JANUARY 2011