Felix Soto Toro
Encyclopedia
Dr. Félix Soto Toro is an astronaut
applicant and an Electrical Designs Engineer in NASA
, who developed the Advanced Payload Transfer Measurement System (ASPTMS)(Electronic 3D measuring system).
known as "El Barrio Amelia". As a child, he was interested in everything that had to do with light bulbs and electricity. His father always encouraged him to better himself. When he was 4 years old, a neighbor gave him a miniature Apollo
spacecraft
toy as a Christmas
gift. This event inspired him to learn more about space. He would spend hours observing the sky, especially the moon
. Soto used to take pictures with his camera of all the space program news transmitted in his television
. He obtained his primary and secondary education in his hometown and went to high school at the Colegio Madre Cabrini in San Juan
. His high school math teacher constantly told Soto that he (the teacher) had never seen anybody solve mathematical problems the way he did - this motivated Soto to study engineering in college.
In 1984, after graduating from high school, Soto enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology
, located in Melbourne, Florida
. In 1986, while in college, he decided that he would like to become an engineer for NASA. Soto participated in the Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP). By doing this he knew that he had a better than average chance of landing a job in NASA.
. In 1992, he completed his Masters Degree of Science in Electrical Engineering and by 1997, he completed another Masters in Science Degree. By specializing in the communications field of electrical engineering, he improved his credentials towards his goal of becoming an astronaut.
At the Kennedy Space Center, Soto reviews, designs, builds, tests and implements engineering designs used in the Space Shuttle
and Payload Operations Development Laboratories. The main project he developed was the Advanced Payload Transfer Measurement System (ASPTMS)(Electronic 3D measuring system), which consists of a simplified, robust, centrally operated and portable system that automatically measures the spherical coordinates offset between the trunnion and their supports during transfer operations. This system has the potential to become a NASA project with commercial applications. Soto earned his Doctorate of Philosophy
Degree in Electrical Engineering and has applied to become an astronaut candidate.
, who was the first Hispanic Deputy Mayor of New York City, were named the Grand Marshalls of the Puerto Rican Day Parade held in Palm Bay, Florida.
Astronaut
An astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
applicant and an Electrical Designs Engineer in NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
, who developed the Advanced Payload Transfer Measurement System (ASPTMS)(Electronic 3D measuring system).
Early years
Toro was raised in a poor section of the City of Guaynabo, Puerto RicoGuaynabo, Puerto Rico
Guaynabo is a municipality in the northern part of Puerto Rico, located in the northern coast of the island, north of Aguas Buenas; south of Cataño; east of Bayamón; and west of San Juan...
known as "El Barrio Amelia". As a child, he was interested in everything that had to do with light bulbs and electricity. His father always encouraged him to better himself. When he was 4 years old, a neighbor gave him a miniature Apollo
Project Apollo
The Apollo program was the spaceflight effort carried out by the United States' National Aeronautics and Space Administration , that landed the first humans on Earth's Moon. Conceived during the Presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower, Apollo began in earnest after President John F...
spacecraft
Spacecraft
A spacecraft or spaceship is a craft or machine designed for spaceflight. Spacecraft are used for a variety of purposes, including communications, earth observation, meteorology, navigation, planetary exploration and transportation of humans and cargo....
toy as a Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
gift. This event inspired him to learn more about space. He would spend hours observing the sky, especially the moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
. Soto used to take pictures with his camera of all the space program news transmitted in his television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. He obtained his primary and secondary education in his hometown and went to high school at the Colegio Madre Cabrini in San Juan
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
. His high school math teacher constantly told Soto that he (the teacher) had never seen anybody solve mathematical problems the way he did - this motivated Soto to study engineering in college.
In 1984, after graduating from high school, Soto enrolled at the Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is an independent private technical research university located in Melbourne, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, the institute has been known by its present name since 1966. Florida Tech's curriculum...
, located in Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne, Florida
Melbourne is a city in Brevard County, Florida, United States. As of 2009, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 78,323. The municipal area is the second largest by size and by population in the county. Melbourne is a principal city of the Palm Bay – Melbourne – Titusville, Florida...
. In 1986, while in college, he decided that he would like to become an engineer for NASA. Soto participated in the Cooperative Education Program (CO-OP). By doing this he knew that he had a better than average chance of landing a job in NASA.
Career in NASA
In 1990, Soto earned his Bachelor's Degree of Science in Electrical Engineering. He was hired by NASA, a month after graduating and assigned to the Design Engineering Networks Communications section at Kennedy Space CenterKennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
. In 1992, he completed his Masters Degree of Science in Electrical Engineering and by 1997, he completed another Masters in Science Degree. By specializing in the communications field of electrical engineering, he improved his credentials towards his goal of becoming an astronaut.
At the Kennedy Space Center, Soto reviews, designs, builds, tests and implements engineering designs used in the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
and Payload Operations Development Laboratories. The main project he developed was the Advanced Payload Transfer Measurement System (ASPTMS)(Electronic 3D measuring system), which consists of a simplified, robust, centrally operated and portable system that automatically measures the spherical coordinates offset between the trunnion and their supports during transfer operations. This system has the potential to become a NASA project with commercial applications. Soto earned his Doctorate of Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
Degree in Electrical Engineering and has applied to become an astronaut candidate.
Honors
Dr. Félix Soto Toro was presented with the 2003 "El Premio Coqui" by La Casa de Puerto Rico in Florida, for his outstanding contributions in the field of science. On November 9, of that same year, Soto Toro along with another Puerto Rican Astronaut applicant, Henry Bursian Berríos and Ninfa SegarraNinfa Segarra
Ninfa Segarra is the last President of the New York City Board of Education. She served as President of the Board from 2000 to 2002 when the Board was abolished by the State of New York and power of the city schools of transferred to Mayor Michael Bloomberg....
, who was the first Hispanic Deputy Mayor of New York City, were named the Grand Marshalls of the Puerto Rican Day Parade held in Palm Bay, Florida.
See also
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican scientists and inventors
- List of Puerto Ricans in the United States Space Program