From Migrant Worker to Astronaut: Journey of Triumph and Exploration
Experience the awe-inspiring journey of astronaut José Hernández, from humble beginnings as a migrant worker to conquering the final frontier This captivating film has taken the world by storm, soaring to the top of Amazon Prime's streaming charts Don't miss the remarkable story that has captivated audiences and critics alike since its stellar September 15 release
José Hernández, the first former migrant worker to venture into space as a NASA astronaut over ten years ago, achieved another significant feat this month. A film documenting his extraordinary voyage from Californian fields to the International Space Station premiered on Amazon Prime as the top-streamed movie. Since its launch on September 15, it has garnered acclaim from both critics and viewers alike.
Actor Michael Peña portrays the role of Hernández in "A Million Miles Away," a captivating tale of a boy who, despite his humble upbringing as a cucumber and cherry picker, harbored a constant fascination for the celestial realm.
In 2009, Hernández, having transitioned to become an engineer, etched his name in history by embarking on the Space Shuttle Discovery. This extraordinary mission marked a significant milestone as the first instance of two Latino astronauts venturing into outer space.
"Quoting his cousin at a press conference, Hernández emphasizes the suitability of a migrant farmworker to bravely explore the unknown by leaving this planet."
What growing up in a family of migrant workers taught him
Hernández spent his formative years in a migrant worker family, who would migrate between California and Mexico following the harvest. Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, his parents settled in California where Hernández was born.
"While others looked forward to summer vacation, I hated it," Hernández told CNN in 2016. "Summer vacation meant working seven days a week in the fields."
"A Million Miles Away" portrays Hernández helping his family harvest fruits and vegetables and the frustrations he felt at the time.
Daniel Daza/Prime
In a 2009 CNN interview, Salvador Hernández, the father, discussed the conversations he would have with his children after a long day of work. He would gather them in the back seat of the car, their bodies covered in dust, and emphasize the importance of taking school seriously. He warned them that if they did not prioritize education, their future would only consist of continuous labor in the fields.
The scene, which the film's viewers will undoubtedly remember, features actor Julio César Cedillo reciting the dialogue almost verbatim.
Hernández recounts that his aspiration to become an astronaut was born after he witnessed the Apollo 17 moon landing in 1972. With their family's black and white television, he had to adjust the rabbit-ear antenna to ensure reception. According to Hernández, it was during this moment when he expressed his dream that his father provided him with invaluable guidance.
"Hernández revealed to CNN en Español in 2020 that he was fortunate enough to be guided by someone wise who took the initiative to sit him down in the kitchen and provide him with a recipe consisting of five essential elements."
"In her film, director Alejandra Márquez Abella skillfully employs those same five ingredients as individual chapters to narrate Hernández's captivating tale."
How he persevered without losing sight of his goal
⢠Find your goal
⢠Assess your progress
⢠Create a plan
⢠If you lack knowledge, acquire it
⢠When you believe you have achieved success, be prepared to put in even more effort
Keeping these steps in mind, Hernández pursued his educational pursuits diligently. He successfully obtained bachelor's and master's degrees in engineering and embarked on a 15-year career at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.
However, Hernández's lifelong dream of becoming a NASA astronaut continued to elude him.
Hernandez's resilience is depicted in the film as he faced rejection from the space agency 11 times before finally being chosen for the program in 2004. Additionally, the film highlights the invaluable support and influence of Hernandez's family, particularly his wife, Adela, portrayed by actress Rosa Salazar. Adela is portrayed as a strong-willed individual who holds her husband accountable and encourages him to persevere.
Michael Peña and Rosa Salazar star as Hernández and his wife Adela in "A Million Miles Away," showcasing the pivotal role their relationship played in his journey towards realizing his dreams.
Daniel Daza/Prime
In a 2016 interview with CNN, Hernández described how important Adela was in his journey.
"The sixth year of NASA's rejection, I crumpled the letter of denial and tossed it onto the bedroom floor. I had contemplated giving up, but she convinced me otherwise," Hernández recounted.
His wife's words echoed: "Let NASA be the entity to disqualify you. Do not disqualify yourself."
The couple's perseverance paid off when Hernández defied the odds and achieved his dream of becoming an astronaut.
"I became an astronaut at the age of 41," Hernández stated. "The average age for new astronauts is 34."
Soon after returning from space, he made a controversial comment
Following his return from space, Hernández's interview with Televisa sparked controversy as he expressed his wish for the Obama administration to implement wide-ranging immigration reform. He emphasized that when observing the Earth from outer space, the concept of borders becomes obsolete.
His remarks prompted NASA to establish its own position. In a media statement, the space agency clarified that Hernández's viewpoints were personal and did not reflect the organization's stance. Moreover, the statement emphasized Hernández's entitlement to express his individual perspectives.
This 2009 photo from NASA shows Hernández working aboard the International Space Station.
NASA/Reuters
Hernández has consistently reaffirmed his original statement over the course of several years.
"While gazing out of the window, attempting to mimic Superman as we glided over North America, I had the privilege of witnessing Canada, the United States, and Mexico. What amazed me was the seamless blend between Canada and the United States, as well as the United States and Mexico," shared Hernández with CNN en Español in 2020.
In my opinion, we were all united from below. It is unfortunate that humans introduced the idea of borders to separate us. In a recent interview with CNN en Español, he expressed his desire for officials to establish a more inclusive atmosphere for migrants in the future.
What turning his life into a film was like
He expressed the desire for greater tolerance and a more welcoming environment for our migrants, emphasizing the need to counter the prevailing anti-immigrant sentiment in our country.
Hernández spoke with CNN en Español, sharing his experience of seeing his life portrayed in a film. In the movie, the former astronaut has a brief on-screen cameo, assisting Peña in preparing for his space journey. However, Hernández mentioned that his involvement in the film exceeded just this appearance.
Hernández discusses his upcoming space shuttle flight in a 2008 interview.
Hernández expressed his involvement in the process due to Alejandra's dedication in getting to know his family. As she worked on the script, she would often share her progress with him, and he would provide feedback. While some of his comments were incorporated, others couldn't be due to time constraints. Hernández acknowledged the challenge of condensing a whole life into a two-hour film and commended Alejandra for skillfully crafting the story for the screen.
The film is adapted from Hernández's 2012 memoir titled "Reaching for the Stars: The Inspiring Journey of a Migrant Farmworker Who Became an Astronaut." Hernández expresses his desire for the film to reach a wider audience, believing it can serve as a source of motivation and inspire viewers to unleash their full potential and pursue their dreams. He shared this with CNN en Español.
One thing the movie doesnt show: His next big dream
Back in 2009, soon after hed returned from space, Hernández told CNN en Español that fame hadnt changed him.
"I remain unchanged as an individual. Family serves as the foundation that keeps me grounded," he remarked. "I continuously fulfill my roles as both a devoted father and a caring husband, dutifully taking out the rubbish every Thursday. I have a set of household responsibilities that I am committed to accomplishing."
On August 28, 2009, the crew members of the space shuttle Discovery, including Mission Specialists Nicole Stott, Christer Fuglesang, Jose Hernandez, and Patrick Forrester, along with Pilot Kevin Ford, can be seen making their way from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, towards the launch pad.
Nowadays, when he's not engaged in household tasks, promoting his latest film, serving as an aerospace engineering consultant, or sharing his experiences as a motivational speaker, the 61-year-old occasionally joins his father in agricultural work. "I initially began in the field of agriculture, and here I am back to it. However, the circumstances have changed, and I now enjoy the freedom of working on my own terms," Hernández expressed in a recent interview with CNN affiliate KCRA.
This time, they are collaborating in California, managing a winery that they co-own.
Tierra Luna Cellars is identified on its website as Hernández's "next great vision," presenting a collection of wines influenced by the constellations he observed from outer space.
CNN en Españols Eduardo Serralde and CNNs Octavio Blanco contributed to this report.
