Mujer in Space: Katya Echazarreta

Photo credit: @katvoltage via Twitter

Because aerospace is a male-dominated industry, accomplishments made by female astronauts and engineers are rarely heard of—especially those of women of color. 

But in June of 2022, then 26-year-old Katya Echazarreta made history as she became the first Mexican-born and youngest female electrical engineer to travel to outer space. 

Through the nonprofit organization Space for Humanity, Echazarreta boarded the New Shepard rocket on Blue Origin’s NS-21 sub-orbital spaceflight mission, pursuing her life-long dream of going to space. 

Selected out of 7,000 applicants, she was chosen to board the flight alongside five other passengers based on her accomplishments as an electrical engineer. Not only was Echazarreta a research assistant during her undergraduate career at UCLA, but she was also an intern for NASA until she received a full-time position at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory following her internship. 

Although she has accomplished various achievements so far, many wouldn’t know the hardships that Echazarreta faced before achieving recognition. 

Born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico, Echazarreta faced difficulties adjusting to American culture and learning English when her family moved to San Diego at the age of seven. 

When her parents divorced, 18-year-old Katya assumed the role of a caregiver to her siblings as they were strained by financial instability. She worked at McDonald’s, cleaned houses, became a nanny and walked dogs before working at NASA. 

Because of her continuous hard work, Echazarreta has become an inspiration for women in STEM across the globe, showcasing Latina excellence despite her humble beginnings.