Franklin Chang-Díaz: From Costa Rican Roots to Space Exploration Pioneer

Franklin Ramón Chang-Díaz, born on April 5, 1950, in San José, Costa Rica, is a Costa Rican-American mechanical engineer, physicist, and former NASA astronaut. His journey is a testament to the power of dreams, hard work, and the pursuit of knowledge. Chang-Díaz's story is one of overcoming obstacles, achieving groundbreaking success in space exploration, and dedicating himself to the advancement of science and technology for the betterment of humanity. As the first Latin American immigrant chosen by NASA to go into space, he has inspired millions to pursue careers in STEM.

Early Life and Education: A Foundation for the Stars

Born to Ramón Ángel Chang Morales, an oil worker whose father fled from China during the Boxer Rebellion, and María Eugenia Díaz, Franklin was one of six children. His early life in Costa Rica during the Cold War era ignited a passion for space exploration. He was captivated by the Soviet Union’s Sputnik satellite and the beginnings of space exploration. “I felt one day humans would travel to distant planets, and I wanted to be one of those travelers…I spent my afternoons imagining I had my own rocket ship. I would invite my cousins and my friends to join my crew, and we would lie on our backs inside a very large cardboard box and go through a countdown, and blast off,” Franklin says. “That was the beginning- my earliest memories of being fascinated by space.”

Chang-Díaz graduated from Colegio de La Salle in San José in November 1967. He then moved to the United States to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut.

Overcoming Obstacles: The American Dream Takes Root

While Franklin was convinced he wanted to be an astronaut, growing up in the 60’s he knew he needed to come to the US to pursue a science education and the training needed to achieve his dream. “My family never prevented me from doing that, but they couldn't really help me,” Franklin says. “We were not a well-to-do family…my parents were not rich. Neither one of them finished college. But I was expected to have a college education. I was expected to reach very high.”

So after completing high school in Costa Rica, Franklin immigrated to the US and started high school all over again. Due to his English language barrier, Franklin failed his classes for the first two quarters, but soon began to excel. One of Franklin’s teachers took notice of his story and situation and became his mentor, coaching him in English and preparing him for college.

His determination led him to the University of Connecticut, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1973. However, his journey wasn't without its challenges. Initially, he was offered a full scholarship, but it was later rescinded due to his citizenship status.

Panicked, Franklin told his high school teachers, who immediately wrote a petition to convince the Connecticut legislature to reverse their decision. The result was a one-year scholarship and in-state tuition rates. To pay the rest, Franklin took out loans and worked in the university physics department, where he became more familiar with the subject.

Advanced Studies: Mastering Plasma Physics

Chang-Díaz continued his education at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), earning a Ph.D. degree in applied plasma physics in 1977. For his research at MIT, Chang-Díaz worked on nuclear fusion technology. While in college, Chang-Díaz developed a passion for fusion technology. At MIT, he contributed to the United States’ controlled fusion program and the design and operation of fusion reactors. After he graduated from MIT, he joined the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory as a technical staff member. Chang-Díaz later invented a novel method to guide and target fuel pellets in an inertial fusion reactor chamber.

His expertise in plasma physics would later become crucial to his work in advanced space propulsion. After graduating from MIT in 1979, Chang-Díaz helped develop a new method. This method used a special reactor to precisely aim fuel pellets.

NASA Career: Reaching for the Stars

In 1980, Chang-Díaz was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA. His selection marked a significant milestone, as he became the first Latin American immigrant to be chosen for the U.S. astronaut corps. His first flight was on Space Shuttle mission STS-61-C in 1986.

“After I got that call, I went running out the door and across the street-I almost got run over by a cab,” Franklin says. “My life changed completely from that day on.”

A Record-Breaking Astronaut

Chang-Díaz flew on six more missions after that, including STS-34 (1989), STS-46 (1992), STS-60 (1994), STS-75 (1996), STS-91 (1998), and STS-111 (2002). During the STS-111 mission, he performed three spacewalks. He worked with Philippe Perrin to help build the International Space Station (ISS). He is a veteran of seven Space Shuttle missions, tying the record, as of 2021 for the most spaceflights (a record set two months earlier by Jerry L. Ross).

His two Space Shuttle Discovery missions, STS-60 and STS-91, were the first and last missions of the Shuttle-Mir program. The program was a joint project between NASA and the Russian Space Agency to conduct scientific research and test new technologies in orbit.

From 1993 to 2005, he was also the director of the Advanced Space Propulsion Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center.

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Spaceflight

Franklin also became one of the first scientists without a military background to regularly fly on board. “When I first started, it was clear that being a scientist made you less likely to fly. But that didn't seem right to me,” Franklin says. “Throughout my years in the astronaut corps, I think I helped bridge that gap. Obviously, both parts of the personality are important-having military discipline is just as important as having an inquisitive, formally trained, scientific mind. What I've done is prove that those qualities can fit together in one person.”

Ad Astra Rocket Company: Pioneering Advanced Space Propulsion

After leaving NASA in 2005, Chang-Díaz started the Ad Astra Rocket Company. This company works on developing advanced plasma rocket technology. Years of research have led to the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). The VASIMR rocket can achieve very high speeds.

Ad Astra is using plasma physics to bring advanced rocket technology to life, and has developed the Variable Specific Impulse Magnetoplasma Rocket (VASIMR). “Chemical rockets, the conventional rockets that we have been using all along, really don't give us the capability to travel far,” Franklin says.

Revolutionizing Space Travel

“I believe that the VASIMR will revolutionize space travel. Right now, every satellite that we launch into space goes on a one-way trip…once it runs out of fuel, that satellite is dead. The VASIMR engine will make it so that we have round-trip capability. It also provides a great increase in the amount of impulse we can get from an engine…Eventually, we'll be able to say, ‘Today, I'm going to go visit the moons of Jupiter, and I will be back in a couple of months.’ We'll be able to do everything within a reasonable time frame.”

Environmental Advocacy and Education

Beyond his contributions to space exploration, Chang-Díaz is also deeply committed to protecting the environment. Chang-Díaz also works to protect the environment. He helps raise awareness about climate change. He was part of Odyssey 2050 The Movie. Back on earth, Franklin is also an active environmental advocate, encouraging students in the US and Costa Rica to get involved in protecting the environment for future generations. He is also a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University.

Honors and Recognition

In 1986, Franklin Chang-Díaz received the Medal of Liberty. He was added to the NASA Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 5, 2012. Also, due to his career and scientific success, he has been decorated multiple times in Costa Rica and named Honor Citizen by the national legislature. The Costa Rican National High Technology Center (CeNAT) is named after him. In 2014, Chang-Díaz was awarded the "Buzz Aldrin Quadrennial Space Award" by The Explorers Club.

He has received numerous accolades, including the Medal of Liberty in 1986 and induction into the NASA Astronaut Hall of Fame in 2012. Costa Rica has also honored him multiple times, naming him an Honor Citizen and naming the Costa Rican National High Technology Center (CeNAT) after him.

Advice for Students: Overcoming Barriers and Thinking Ahead

"I think people-young people-here in Costa Rica, and maybe in other places as well, can relate to my story because I wasn't privileged. I didn't have any advantages, other than a wonderful set of parents and a wonderful infrastructure of people who helped. I didn't come into the world as a rich person. I didn't have special connections. I wasn't even born in the right country. So if I can do it, anybody can.”

Franklin believes that students shouldn’t be discouraged by financial or cultural barriers when pursuing their dreams and interests. He encourages them to look out for potential mentors and grab the opportunities around them in the face of obstacles.

Chang-Díaz's life and work, whether in space travel or the environment, is directed towards securing a better future for humanity. He believes in thinking about how our lives can impact of those long after us. “My dream or my vision is a future for humanity where we will be completely free to pursue activities outside of our planet.

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