Mexico will have its first aerospace campcalled “Mission Mars 2023”, thanks to the
work of Katya Echazarreta and Enrique Alfaro, it will be held in Guadalajara, Jalisco.
Driven by the desire to inspire young minds, Echazarreta shared her motivation
behind this aerospace camp, stating, “Many children asked me the question; ‘How can I achieve something like that?’  It was a challenging question because I knew that pursuing such dreams would be complex. It was then that I decided to work in Mexico and Jalisco, so that they too could have these opportunities.” As the first Mexican to travel to space Echazarreta hopes to pave the way for a new era of space exploration for her compatriots.

Governor Alfaro expressed his optimism that Mission Mars 2023 will catalyze future camps, setting a precedent that can be replicated throughout Mexico and beyond. “We want this to be the first of many camps, to serve as an example nationwide and hopefully inspire similar initiatives in other regions,” he affirmed.

Mission Mars 2023 camp will take place at two distinct venues: the Ciudad Creativa Digital (CCD) and the newly reconstructed Lunaria Planetarium, which received input and guidance from Echazarreta herself. The governor emphasized the significance of Lunaria, stating, “We have agreed with Katya to undergo a complete reconstruction of Lunaria, with an investment of approximately 60 million pesos. This includes not just its physical infrastructure but also its equipment. From the culmination of this camp onward, Lunaria will be one of the key venues supported by the State Government.”

Scheduled to run from July 10 to August 4, 2023, Mission Mars 2023 seeks to foster educational and informative experiences that encourage exploration and learning about space technology.

The camp will accommodate 100 young participants, divided into groups of 25, who will engage in a variety of activities across the designated sites, including the CCD and Planetarium Lunaria.

Governor Alfaro emphasized that this event aims to leave a lasting impact, forming part of a sustained effort to cultivate talent and drive Jalisco’s development in the future. By supporting this initiative, the State Government and its Secretary of Innovation, Science, and Technology, led by Alfonso Pompa, have already allocated 500,000 pesos to promote this strategic project focused on disseminating and popularizing science.

During a meeting with Governor Alfaro and Katya Echazarreta’s team, Manuel Maciel Saldierna, the director of the aerospace camp, revealed that preregistration will be conducted through state government agencies and the foundation. The camp is open to young individuals aged 13 to 15, who will need to meet specific criteria to participate.

Mission Mars 2023 represents an extraordinary opportunity for Mexico’s youth to dive into the realms of space exploration and innovation. With the collaboration between Katya Echazarreta, the first Mexican astronaut, and Governor Enrique Alfaro, Jalisco is spearheading a movement that aims to inspire young minds, create new horizons, and pave the way for a future generation of space pioneers. By fostering knowledge, talent, and dreams, Mission Mars 2023 is set to leave a mark on Mexico’s aerospace landscape.

Source: Government of the State of Jalisco