Rodolfo Neri Vela
Rodolfo Neri Vela is a Mexican engineer, professor, scientist, and shuttle . Became the first Mexican citizen to travel in space.
- Born
- February 19, 1952
- Died
- N/A
- Birthplace
- Chilpancingo de los Bravo Municipality, Guerrero,Mexico
Flights
1
Spacewalks
0
EVA time
N/A
In space
6 days, 21 hours, 4 minutes
Bio
Before and around spaceflight, Rodolfo Neri Vela developed a technical foundation through study at National Autonomous University of Mexico and University of Birmingham. That background matters because the shuttle era depended on astronauts who could move between spacecraft operations, payload science, robotics, aviation, and public-facing international work.
Vela flew on STS-61-B during the operational Space Shuttle era.
First Mexican citizen in space. Payload Specialist on STS-61-B. Engineer, professor, and science communicator.
STS-61-B launched on November 26, 1985 aboard STS-61-B flight stack, with Vela serving as Payload Specialist. This mission context is drawn from the linked agency or institutional flight material and distinguishes flown service from training or backup assignments.