Katya Echazarreta Launches 2nd Aerospace Camp

From July 21 to Aug. 1, 2025, 140 students aged 13 to 19 from Mexico and across Latin America are taking part in the second edition of the “Código Europa” Aerospace Camp, organized by the Katya Echazarreta Foundation. The program spans multiple venues in Mexico City and Morelos, including the Papalote Children’s Museum in Cuernavaca and Chapultepec, the Museum of Science of Morelos, Aeropuertos y Servicios Auxiliares (ASA), and the National Technological Institute of Mexico.

All participants were awarded full scholarships covering transportation, accommodation, meals, and access to specialized workshops. The camp is designed to offer hands-on learning and inspiration in science, engineering, and space exploration.

During the opening ceremony at Papalote Children’s Museum, Katya Echazarreta explained that the camp aims to spark interest in innovation and the space industry among youth. “After my first spaceflight, many children, teenagers, and even adults in Mexico told me they dream of joining a space mission one day,” she said. Acknowledging the current scarcity of such opportunities in the region, she emphasized her commitment to making them a reality.

Camp activities are led by professionals in fields including robotics, mechatronics, electronics, programming, prototype development, astronomy, and sustainable agriculture. A centerpiece of the experience is a simulated mission to Europa, one of Jupiter’s moons, where students carry out space operations while wearing specially designed astronaut suits.

“Each day of the camp is dedicated to a different theme—from science and planetary exploration to real-world technology applications,” said Echazarreta.

The event is supported by the Government of Morelos, through the Ministry of Economic Development and Labor (SDEyT), the Morelos Council of Science and Technology (CCyTEM), and the Morelos Center for Science Communication (CeMoCC).

“Encouraging early interest in science is crucial to shaping a generation focused on knowledge, technology, and innovation,” said Jaime Arau, Director General of CCyTEM.

Alejandra Ramírez, Director, CeMoCC, highlighted the transformative power of early scientific exposure. “We’re proud to guide this generation through an experience that can shift their worldview. Our goal is to nurture curious, creative young minds ready to shape the future,” she said.

The camp also welcomes participants from the “La Tierra que Nos Une” initiative, as well as students from other Mexican states and abroad. The Morelos government coordinated transportation between Cuernavaca and Mexico City and implemented safety protocols to ensure a secure and enriching environment.

“Our mission is to create opportunities for those who have never had them and to integrate Latin America into the future of the aerospace sector,” Echazarreta concluded.