Doctor Franklin Chang Díaz

Franklin Chang-Díaz was born in San José, Costa Rica, on April 5,

1950. He was fascinated by space exploration in the 1960s and spent
his childhood imagining what life in space would be like. At a very
young age Franklin decided that one day he would go to the United
States and become an astronaut. Franklin worked hard to fulfill his
dream. When he arrived in the United States, he had only $50 in his
pocket and didn't know how to speak English! Still, he convinced
officials at Hartford Public High School to enroll in a full course load.
Although they failed their classes the first two quarters, the third and
fourth quarters were so outstanding that they earned a scholarship to
attend the University of Connecticut. Franklin Chang-Díaz earned a
Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the university in
1973. He earned a PhD in applied plasma physics and fusion
technology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in
1977. While a graduate student at MIT , Franklin Chang-Díaz began
intensive research into the design and control of nuclear reactors. Dr.
Chang-Díaz became an astronaut in 1981; He has logged more than
1,600 hours in space. Dr. Chang-Díaz volunteers as a mission
specialist for STS-91 - the final Shuttle mission to Mir. He retired from
NASA in 2005.

Dr. Chang-Díaz describes himself as an adventurer who enjoys

challenges. His interests are hunting, underwater diving and
exploration. Dr. Chang-Díaz is married and has four children.

Franklin Chang worked, as a research assistant in the Department of

Physics at the University of Connecticut, on the design and
construction of high-energy atomic shock experiments. In 1973, he
participated in the United States controlled fusion program and
investigated the design and operation of fusion reactors. In that same
year he joined the staff of the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory. There
he works on the design and integration of control systems for isolated
inertial and magnetic fusion reactor concepts. In 1979 he developed
a concept to guide and direct fuel projectiles in a fusion in a reactor
inertial chamber. In 1980 he was selected by NASA and in August
1981 he became an astronaut. While undergoing astronaut training,
he participated in flight schedule verification at the Shuttle
Aeronautical Electronics Integration Laboratory (SAIL) and in early
studies for the Space Station. Dr. Chang-Díaz was instrumental in
implementing closer ties between the astronaut corps and the
scientific community. In 1987, he launched the Astronaut Science
Colloquium Program and later collaborated in the formation of the
Astronaut Science Support Group, which he directed until January
1989. In July 2005 he retired from NASA. That same year he founded
a subsidiary of Ad Astra Rocket Company, a laboratory built near the
city of Liberia, Guanacaste, on the campus of Earth University.
Recently, he has worked on the design of a new concept, rocket
propulsion based on magnetically confined plasmas at high
temperature.

He is designated as a support crew for the first Space Laboratory

mission (1982) and serves as a capsule-in-orbit communicator
(CAPCOM) during that flight (1983). He was the leader of the group
of astronauts to support the Kennedy Space Center, Florida (from
October 1984 to August 1985), he is President of the "21st Century
Strategy" Designing a national trajectory for the development of Costa
Rica in science and technology. technology in the next 50 years. He
is part of the Board of Directors, Cummins Inc. (2009 Present). He is
Assistant Professor of the Department of Physics and Astronomy,
Rice University, Houston Texas (1998 Present) and Assistant
Professor of the Department of Physics, University of Houston (1993
Present). He was Director of the Advanced Space Propulsion
Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center (1993-2005). In addition, he
is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences of Costa Rica
(2002), Member of the Advisory Council of the president of the
EARTH University in Costa Rica, Member of the American Nuclear
Society, Member of the American Physical Society, Member of the
Council Advisor to The Planetary Society, Member of the Association
of Space Explorers, Associate Member of the American Institute of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Member of the Board of Directors of
the Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress, Member of the
International Advisory Council of the National Center for High
Technology (CENAT) of Costa Rica and was part of the board of
notables that analyzed the Central American FTA with the United
States.

He has made seven trips to space: STS 61-C (1986), STS-34 (1989),
STS-46 (1992), STS-60 (1994), STS-75 (1996), STS-91 (1998) and
STS-111 (2002); He has logged more than 1,601 hours in space,
including 19 hours and 31 minutes on three spacewalks.

He has received the following recognitions: Award given by the

University of Connecticut to the outstanding student (1980), NASA
Flight Medal (1986), Medal of Freedom from President Ronald
Reagan in the celebration of the centennial of the Statue of Liberty (
1986), Medal of Excellence of the Hispanic Congregation (1987),
Medal for Exceptional Service from NASA (1986, 1989, 1992 and
1994), Achievement Award from the American Aeronautical Society
(1989), NASA Flight Medal (1986, 1989, 1992, 1994), Achievement
Award from the National Conference of Hispanic Engineers - The
Cross of the Venezuelan Air Force Jaime Lusinchi during the 68th
anniversary of the Venezuelan Air Force (1988), Honorary Doctor in
Science National University of Costa Rica, in Science from the
University of Connecticut and in Law from Babson College, Honorary
from the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Costa Rica and
the Technological Institute of Costa Rica, Declared Honorary Citizen
of Costa Rica (1996) and Named Favorite Son of the City of San José.
LIBERIA VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL COLLEGE.

SUBJECT: ACADEMIC ENGLISH.

TEACHER:

HELBERTH GRANADOS.

STUDENT:

ALFRED DANIEL MATARRITA VÁSQUEZ.

SECTION:
9-7

Doctor Franklin Chang Díaz