PARLIER, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The first Mexican-born woman to go to space is quite an accomplishment. But for Katya Echazarreta , an immigrant who came to this country in the third grade, her mission of making it to space was a lonely experience.
”I am a Mexican little girl saying the words one day I will travel to space and everyone around me is laughing,” said Echazarreta. “All I can tell all of you now is that nobody is laughing now.”
Since Echazarreta was 7 years old she had a dream of going to space and on June 4, 2022, her dream became a reality during her first mission on Blue Origins NS-21 flight, a trip 66 miles above Earth.
“When I finally made it out there and when I felt microgravity for the first time, when I saw planet Earth for the first time, of course, it’s the most beautiful experience you’re going to have in your life,” said Echazarreta. “But beyond that, it is such an honor, it is such a privilege. And you recognize that perfectly. I don’t take it lightly when I hear the words ‘first Mexican woman in space.’”