Astronaut Jose Hernandez Leaves NASA

HOUSTON, Jan. 14, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- After a decade working in various roles, astronaut Jose Hernandez has left NASA for a position in the aerospace industry.

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"Jose's talent and dedication have contributed greatly to the agency, and he is an inspiration to many," said Peggy Whitson, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. "We wish him all the best with this new phase of his career."

The son of Mexican migrant farm workers, Hernandez joined NASA in 2001 as a materials research engineer at Johnson. He was promoted to the Materials and Processes Branch chief in 2002 and served there until he was selected as a NASA astronaut in 2004.

During the STS-128 shuttle mission in 2009, Hernandez managed the transfer of more than 18,000 pounds of supplies and equipment between the shuttle and International Space Station and assisted with robotics operations. He also served as a flight engineer in the shuttle's cockpit during launch and landing.

For Hernandez' complete astronaut biographical information, visit:

http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/htmlbios/hernandez-jm.html

For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov

SOURCE NASA