Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month – meet Marcos Ibarra

As we wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month 2024, we introduce Marcos Ibarra, an ETHOS Flight Controller who supports ISS operations linked to life-support systems, thermal systems, and spaceflight emergency management via Mission Control.

For Marcos, Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to appreciate the opportunity he has been given to live in the US and to honor all of those who came before him who got him to where he is today. “As a first generation Mexican-American, I see myself as a pioneer who will shape the future of my family going forward. I appreciate and am proud of the family values that I was raised with and I will always honor my parents for all their sacrifices to get me where I am today.

“This month allows me to spend a little extra time thinking about my ancestors and their ways of life as a way to ground myself to my life today. The Hispanic community is known for resilience and commitment to hard work. Our tenacious ability to overcome challenges is a key part of our identity, and it will continue to play a growing part in the advancement of the spaceflight industry.”