Mohini was a natural fit for space exploration: She could recite the planets in order at an early age, and her research work was inspired partly by watching "Star Trek."

Born in the year "Star Wars" came out, Victor's childhood dreams came true when he landed a career in space technology. He says that's when he realized, "The Force was finally with me!"

Elizabeth attributes her love of space to her father's purchase of a telescope at a yard sale when she was a child, which eventually steered her toward a career in aerospace engineering.

As a young student, Felipe wanted to be an astrobiologist – exactly what he is now. He makes it a point to encourage current students to work hard and make their dreams come true, too.

Brittan got a head start on studying Mars by skipping four grades and starting college at 14. She enjoys comparing Martian rocks with similar rocks on Earth, to better understand the history of Mars.

Carlos leads a group of physicists and chemists, plus engineers from various disciplines, in preventing potential contamination of space missions.