Space Shuttle mission STS-50 carried Eugene H. Trinh into orbit in 1992, marking his achievement as the first Vietnamese American astronaut to travel into space. His professional trajectory spans high-level research at NASA and academic training in applied physics, positioning him as a significant figure in the study of microgravity and fluid dynamics.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1950 in Ho Chi Minh City, then Saigon, Eugene Huu-Chau Trinh relocated to Paris, France, at age two. He completed his secondary education at Lycée Michelet in Vanves, graduating with a baccalaureate degree in 1968. At 18, he moved to the United States to pursue higher education. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering-Applied Physics from the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University in 1972. His postgraduate studies took place at Yale University, where he received a Master of Science in 1974, a Master of Philosophy in 1975, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Physics in 1977.
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Trinh began his tenure at NASA in 1979, joining the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a senior research scientist. For two decades, he focused on fluid dynamics, materials science, and levitation technology. His work involved experimental investigations conducted on the NASA KC-135 aircraft and aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. Beyond his flight experience, he served as the director of the physical sciences research division within the Biological and Physical Research Enterprise at NASA headquarters. In this capacity, he oversaw programs exploring how gravity influences chemical, physical, and biological systems to support future human space exploration.
Recognition and Personal Life
In May 2004, the Vietnamese American National Gala in Washington, D.C., awarded Trinh the Golden Torch Award. He is married to Yvette Fabry, with whom he has one child. Having previously lived in Culver City, California, he currently resides in McLean, Virginia. He maintains dual citizenship with the United States and Vietnam.
Fast facts
- Born: 1950, Ho Chi Minh City
- Education: Yale University, Columbia University
- Space Flight: STS-50, 1992
- Citizenship: United States and Vietnam
- Current Residence: McLean, Virginia
- Awards: Golden Torch Award, 2004
Questions readers ask
Was Eugene H. Trinh the first person from Vietnam in space?
No. He was the second Vietnamese person in space, following the cosmonaut Phạm Tuân.
What was Trinh's primary role on his 1992 Space Shuttle flight?
He served as a payload specialist crew member on the STS-50 mission, also known as the United States Microgravity Lab-1.
Achievements
- Educated at Yale University, Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science and Lycée Michelet, Vanves
- Worked as astronaut, chemist and biochemist
