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Franklin R. Chang-Díaz: 1950—: Astronaut, Physicist Biography - Advice From Von Braun, Chosen By Nasa, Used Space Technology For Improving Drugs, Travel To Mars

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Franklin R. Chang-Díaz: 1950—: Astronaut, physicist.




As one of the first Hispanic Americans to fly in space, astronaut and physicist Franklin R. Chang-Díaz has participated in seven space shuttle missions. He is a specialist in applied plasma physics and fusion technology, and has worked on experiments aboard the space shuttle that, it is hoped, will lead to signifi-cant improvements in the manufacture of medicines. His current research at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, which focuses on plasma propulsion technology, is expected to contribute toward achieving workable methods for human space flights to Mars.

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Franklin R. Chang-Díaz: 1950—: Astronaut, Physicist - Advice From Von Braun

Franklin R. Chang-Díaz was born on April 5, 1950, in San Josè, Costa Rica. His father, Ramòn Chang, was an oil worker whose own father had escaped China during the Boxer Rebellion. "I'm not only Hispanic, but I'm part Chinese," the astronaut explained to Boston Globe writer Peggy Hernandez. "To define me only as Hispanic is too narrow."…

Franklin R. Chang-Díaz: 1950—: Astronaut, Physicist - Chosen By Nasa

In May of 1980 Chang-Díaz was selected by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) for its elite astronaut corps—one of only 19 chosen from 3,000 applicants. He became an astronaut in August of 1981 and flew six space shuttle missions between 1986 and 1998. During his astronaut training at NASA, Chang-Díaz worked on flight software checkout at the Shuttle Avion…

Franklin R. Chang-Díaz: 1950—: Astronaut, Physicist - Used Space Technology For Improving Drugs

An interesting aspect of Chang-Díaz's work in space is its possible role in finding new treatments for diseases. In 1991, while in Costa Rica to promote more Latin American participation in space projects, Chang-Díaz met with Dr. Jose Zaglul, president of Earth University in Mercedes, Costa Rica. They began discussing the potential that tropical rainforests might have for the …

Franklin R. Chang-Díaz: 1950—: Astronaut, Physicist - Travel To Mars

Chang-Díaz's research on plasma rocket engines could lead to technology that would significantly reduce the amount of time required to travel from Earth to Mars. With current technology, based on chemical propulsion, rockets can achieve a speed of only 10,000 miles per hour; this would make a trip to Mars take at least ten months each way. Higher rocket speeds could be reached if the…

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10 months ago

i am doing a project on diaz-chang in spanish and this site really helped. thanks!

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10 months ago

i want to be in nasa what would you sugjjest me to work on is it nice two work at nasa