Background
Chang-Diaz, Franklin R. was born on April 5, 1950 in San José, Costa Rica. Son of Ramòn A. Chang-Morales and Maria Eugenia Diaz De Chang.
Chang-Diaz, Franklin R. was born on April 5, 1950 in San José, Costa Rica. Son of Ramòn A. Chang-Morales and Maria Eugenia Diaz De Chang.
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University Connecticut, 1973. Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Plasma Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1977. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), University National de Costa Rica.
Doctor of Science (honorary), University Santiago de Chile. Doctor of Science (honorary), University Connecticut. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Babson College.
Member technical staff Charles Stark Draper Laboratory Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, 1978—1981. Astronaut National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, since 1981. Founder Ad Astra Rocket Company, 2005, chairman, Chief Executive Officer.
Visiting scientist plasma fusion center Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Massachusetts, 1983—1993. Adjunct professor physics Rice University, Houston, University Houston, Houston. Director advanced space propulsion laboratory Johnson Space Center National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Houston, 1993—2005.
Presenter in field; founder Astronaut Science Colloquium Program, since 1987. Founder, director Astronaut Science Support Group, 1987—1989. Astronaut Space Shuttle Columbia, 1986, Space Shuttle Atlantis, 1989, 92, Wake Shield Facility, Space Habitation Module 2, 1994, United States Microgravity Payload, 1996, Discovery Mission, 1998.
Married Peggy Marguerite Doncaster. 4 children.