The First Mexican-Born Woman in Space Due to Launch Soon

A history making flightNASA/Josh Valcarcel, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Blue Origin flight was due to launch Friday 20th May, but was delayed because of technical issues.

When it does launch in the next few weeks, it will be a history making flight.

Katya Echazarreta, sponsored by Space for Humanity, will be the first ever Mexican-born woman to go into space.

“I am going to space!” Katya posted on Instagram once she was able to announce her news. “Ahh!!! I can’t believe I can finally write those words! So eternally thankful for [Space Humanity] for selecting me from over 7,000 applicants for this mission."

Who is Katya Echazarreta?

Now living in San Diego, Katya was born in Guadalajara, Mexico. When she was 7-years-old, her family moved to the US.

"Growing up in the US was difficult at first due to the language barrier, but I worked hard and was a fluent English speaker within two years," says Katya on her website.

"My mom instilled a strong work ethic in me since childhood and always encouraged me to follow my passions."

And that's exactly what she's done.

Katya will be making history when she heads into space this year.Katya Echazarreta's Blog

On a mission-- and not just to space

Katya is hoping her mission to space will help her with her other mission: to advance and encourage women and minorities within the STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

A UCLA graduate and currently pursuing a Master's degree in electrical and computer engineering at Johns Hopkins University, Katya understands the challenges women and minorities pursuing STEM careers face.

Through honesty about the difficulties and encouragement I hope to be able to help women be better prepared for their experience as a woman in STEM. --Katya Echazarreta

Katya runs a blog from her home in San Diego to encourage women interested in STEM.

According to her bio on Blue Origin, she is also the co-host of the YouTube series "Netflix IRL" and "Electric Kat" on the CBS show "Mission Unstoppable.”

Would you go to space if someone sponsored you? Tell us in the comments.