Astronaut motivates Team Andrews to shoot for the stars

  • Published
  • By Capt. Robert Sperling
  • 316th Wing Public Affairs
ANDREWS AFB, Md. --  Hispanic Americans have played a pivotal role throughout the history of the United States. One highly influential Hispanic American - Astronaut Lt. Col. (ret.) Carlos Noriega visited Andrews Wednesday, as part of the base's Hispanic Heritage Month activities.

Mr. Noriega is a retired U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot and veteran of two space shuttle missions with more than 481 hours in space and 19 hours conducting spacewalks. He retired from the astronaut corps in 2005 and now works as a civilian with NASA in Florida. "My time at NASA was based on my desire to be a part of something bigger than myself," said Mr. Noriega.

Born in Lima, Peru, his family immigrated to the United States when he was 5-years-old. "In the third grade I remember seeing the moon landing, but did not think that something like that was possible for me to achieve," said Mr. Noriega. While growing up, both his parents worked three to four jobs. "What they taught me is that there are always doors to open and windows to see out of."

Some years later while stationed at Cheyenne Mountain, Colo., he saw a coworker filling out an application for astronaut training. Deciding to do the same, he received his invitation to attend training roughly a year later.

While in the astronaut program, "I found that people can go as far as they apply themselves. What it takes is the desire to excel," he said.

Mr. Noriega was part of two flights to the International Space Station, and during those missions he recalled, "learning to work together was one of, if not the most, important parts of the mission. It's about coming together to accomplish a common goal.

"Knowing that you will be rewarded for hard work drives me," said Mr. Noriega. "It may not be you that is rewarded, but your parents and your organization all benefit from your hard work."

The United States began formal recognition of the independence of five Latin American countries, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua, in 1968 with Hispanic Heritage week. In 1988, the week-long celebration grew into a month-long recognition of Hispanic heritage with the enactment of Public Law 100-402.

Andrews is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 and will conclude the festivities with a charity luncheon that will feature a variety of Latin dishes Oct. 1 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Activities Center.