‘A Million Miles Away’ Tells The Real Story of Jose Hernandez Who Turned NASA Astronaut From A Latino Migrant Farmworker
In the cold December night of 1972, a 10-year-old boy, toiling the fields as a migrant farmworker with his family, gazed at the sky and dared to dream of becoming an astronaut. Little did he know that this dream, ignited by the Apollo mission’s broadcast, would one day lead him to the vast expanse of space. This inspiring tale belongs to José Moreno Hernández, a remarkable engineer, and former NASA astronaut, whose journey from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the International Space Station, serves as a testament to perseverance, community, and sacrifice.
José Hernández, born on August 7, 1962, vividly recalls the moment that sparked his ambition. He reminisced, “I was watching the very last Apollo mission, kneeling down in front of a black-and-white TV, hanging on to the rabbit ear antennas to improve the reception watching Gene Cernan walking the moon.” The sight of Gene Cernan’s moonwalk captured his imagination, inspiring him to declare, “I want to be like that guy.”
Fast forward to 2009, Hernández realized his childhood dream when he was assigned to the crew of Space Shuttle mission STS-128. This remarkable achievement was not just an individual triumph but a victory for an entire community. Hernández’s story, as recounted in his memoir, has now been brought to life in the Amazon Prime Video biopic, “A Million Miles Away.” The film, directed and co-written by Mexican filmmaker Alejandra Márquez Abella, portrays Hernández’s journey from a migrant farmworker to a NASA astronaut.
“A Million Miles Away” not only chronicles Hernández’s personal struggles and triumphs but also delves into the sacrifices made by his family and community to support his dreams. His parents, recognizing his potential, decided to settle down, putting an end to the nomadic life of farm laborers. Their dream of building a home in Mexico took a backseat to Hernández’s aspirations. His wife, too, postponed her dream of opening a restaurant, dedicating herself to supporting her husband’s NASA endeavors. These sacrifices underscore the theme of familial and communal support that permeates Hernández’s story.
The film stars Michael Peña as the soft-spoken and determined Hernández, embodying the essence of the astronaut’s character. Rosa Salazar plays Hernández’s sharp-witted and supportive wife, adding depth to the narrative. Director Alejandra Márquez Abella, deeply moved by Hernández’s story, meticulously crafted the film to capture the essence of the community effort behind his success. Hernández praised Peña’s portrayal, emphasizing the actor’s dedication and understanding of his personality.
However, the journey to bring this inspiring tale to the screen was not without its challenges. The film’s release coincided with the pandemic, preventing the leading stars from fully enjoying the fruits of their labor. Hernández expressed his regret that Peña and Salazar couldn’t be present during such a pivotal moment for the Latino community. Despite this, the film stands as a beacon of hope, reminding audiences of the power of determination and community support.
Hernández’s path to becoming an astronaut was paved with rejection and perseverance. He faced eleven rejections from NASA before finally being selected in May 2004. Reflecting on his journey, he remarked, “Deep inside, I felt like, ‘It was about damn time.'” Hernández’s determination and unwavering spirit led him to complete rigorous astronaut candidate training in February 2006, encompassing scientific briefings, flight training, and survival exercises. His selection as a mission specialist in July 2008 marked the beginning of his space odyssey, culminating in the STS-128 mission.
“A Million Miles Away” not only serves as a source of inspiration but also imparts valuable life lessons. Hernández emphasized the importance of dreaming big and being willing to invest the necessary effort. He believes that the film offers viewers tangible tools to transform their aspirations into reality. “It’s worth dreaming big, as long as you’re willing to put in the work and effort to convert that dream into reality,” Hernández affirmed.
All in all, “A Million Miles Away” encapsulates the extraordinary journey of a migrant farmworker who dared to dream beyond the confines of his circumstances. José Hernández’s story serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating the transformative power of perseverance, community, and sacrifice. As audiences watch this biopic, they are not merely witnessing the life of an astronaut but absorbing the invaluable message that dreams, when nurtured with determination and communal support, can indeed propel individuals to extraordinary heights, even a million miles away from where it all began.
