Franklin Chang-Díaz is a renowned astronaut and physicist, born on April 5, 1950, in San José, Costa Rica. He is best known for his work with NASA, where he flew on seven space shuttle missions, making him one of the most experienced astronauts in history. Chang-Díaz earned a doctorate in applied plasma physics from MIT and has contributed significantly to the field of space exploration. In addition to his work at NASA, Chang-Díaz founded the Ad Astra Rocket Company, which focuses on advanced propulsion technologies. He is also an advocate for education and science, particularly in promoting opportunities for young people in STEM fields.