Chris Valasek & Charlie Miller
World-Renowned 'White Hat' Hackers | The Duo Behind the Famous Jeep Hack | Autonomous Vehicle & Connected Car Experts | Pioneers of Automotive Cybersecurity
Jose Hernandez
Former NASA Astronaut | Inspiration for the Film 'A Million Miles Away' | Founder & CEO, Tierra Luna Engineering | UC Regent | Author & STEM Advocate
Few journeys are as improbable as Jose Hernandez's. The son of Mexican migrant farmworkers, he picked crops up and down California and did not learn English until he was twelve. NASA rejected him eleven times before he flew to the International Space Station in 2009 as the first migrant farmworker in space, a story that inspired the film A Million Miles Away. On stage, he turns his journey into a moving lesson in perseverance and never giving up.
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Jose Hernandez biography
Motivational speaker Jose Hernandez is the former NASA astronaut whose journey from the migrant farm fields of California to the International Space Station has inspired audiences around the world. The first migrant farmworker to fly in space, his life story became the 2023 Amazon biopic A Million Miles Away, with Michael Peña in the starring role.
Born to a Mexican migrant farming family and raised in Stockton, California, Hernandez spent his childhood following the harvest up and down the state and did not learn English until he was twelve. He went on to earn engineering degrees from the University of the Pacific and the University of California, Santa Barbara, then spent more than a decade at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he helped develop the first full-field digital mammography system for early breast cancer detection. NASA rejected his astronaut application eleven times before selecting him in 2004.
From the Fields to the Stars
In 2009, Hernandez flew as flight engineer aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on the 14-day STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. Since leaving NASA, he has founded the aerospace consultancy Tierra Luna Engineering, launched his own winery, and serves on the University of California Board of Regents. Through his Reaching for the Stars Foundation, he encourages students across California’s Central Valley to pursue careers in science and technology. He is also the author of four books, including his memoir Reaching for the Stars and his most recent, Soaring to New Heights.
As a speaker, Jose Hernandez delivers a powerful, deeply personal message about perseverance, goal-setting, and the discipline it takes to turn an impossible dream into reality. He connects with audiences across corporate, education, and STEM events, and is a favorite for Hispanic Heritage Month, sharing a recipe for success drawn from a life that defied every odd. Attendees leave motivated to set bigger goals and pursue them with relentless focus.
Jose Hernandez Speaking Videos
José Hernández Moreno - Kid who touched the stars
How Astronaut José Hernández Went From Migrant Worker to NASA
Jose Hernandez Keynote Topics
Jose Hernandez tells the remarkable true story behind the film A Million Miles Away: how a boy who picked crops alongside his family and did not speak English until age twelve set his sights on space and never wavered. He shares the setbacks, the eleven NASA rejections, and the relentless work that finally carried him to orbit, leaving audiences inspired to chase their own seemingly impossible dreams.
High achievers, especially those who are the first in their families to break new ground, often battle self-doubt and the nagging fear of being found out. Jose Hernandez speaks candidly about confronting these feelings on his path from the fields to NASA, and shares the practical mindsets and strategies he used to quiet the doubt and own his accomplishments. A powerful session for anyone walking a path no one in their world has walked before.
A space mission lives or dies on teamwork. Drawing on his experience training and flying with NASA crews, Jose Hernandez reveals what it takes to build teams that perform under extreme pressure, from clear communication and mutual trust to a shared commitment to the goal. He offers practical lessons leaders and teams can apply to collaborate better and achieve more together.
Jose Hernandez distills his improbable rise into a simple, repeatable formula for achievement: define your goal, know where you stand, build a roadmap, prepare relentlessly, and persevere. With humor and hard-earned wisdom, he shows audiences how the same ingredients that took him from a sugar-beet field to the International Space Station can help anyone turn ambition into accomplishment.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Jose Hernandez
Why Jose Hernandez?
Booking Jose Hernandez gives your audience one of the most inspiring true stories in America: a man who went from picking crops as a migrant child to orbiting the Earth as a NASA astronaut, after being rejected eleven times before the agency finally said yes. His message of perseverance, goal-setting, and hard work resonates with every kind of audience, from corporate teams and students to STEM and Hispanic Heritage Month events. As an engineer, entrepreneur, author, and the inspiration for the film A Million Miles Away, he delivers both genuine credibility and an unforgettable, emotional story. Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you bring Jose Hernandez to your next event.
Did Jose Hernandez really go to space?
Yes. In 2009, Jose Hernandez flew as a flight engineer aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on the 14-day STS-128 mission to the International Space Station. NASA selected him for its astronaut corps in 2004, after he had applied and been turned down eleven times, making him the first former migrant farmworker to travel to space.
Is the movie A Million Miles Away based on Jose Hernandez?
Yes. The 2023 film A Million Miles Away, released on Amazon Prime Video with Michael Peña in the lead role, is based on Jose Hernandez's life and his memoir Reaching for the Stars. It follows his journey from the California fields to becoming a NASA astronaut, highlighting the perseverance, family, and sacrifice behind his dream.
What topics does Jose Hernandez speak about?
Jose Hernandez speaks on perseverance, goal-setting, teamwork, overcoming imposter syndrome, and STEM education, all drawn from his journey from migrant farmworker to astronaut. His keynotes are popular with corporate, education, and Hispanic Heritage Month audiences and can be tailored to leadership teams or young students alike. To check his availability and book him, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Jose Hernandez as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Jose Hernandez as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Jose Hernandez's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Jose Hernandez or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Jose Hernandez speaking fee?
Jose Hernandez speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Jose Hernandez to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Jose Hernandez.
How can I contact Jose Hernandez?
We only work with Jose Hernandez on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Jose Hernandez and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Jose Hernandez speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Jose Hernandez for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Jose Hernandez for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Jose Hernandez is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Jose Hernandez for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
