A Mexican Candidate for the New Space Frontier
The democratization of access to outer space is advancing through private initiatives, and on this occasion, a Mexican talent is positioned as a strong contender. Diego Pérez Reyes, a 25-year-old mechatronic engineer who graduated from the Autonomous Technological Institute of Mexico (ITAM), has launched a public call through digital platforms requesting the support of the national community. Its ultimate objective is to materialize an aspiration of cosmic proportions: to participate in a suborbital flight that constitutes a fundamental step towards its goal of contributing to the future colonization of Mars.
The Unity Mission: A Global Competition to Democratize Space
The context of this request is framed in the international call of the Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), an agency dedicated to space research and exploration. In alliance with the company Blue Origin, founded by tycoon Jeff Bezos, SERA has designed the “Unity Mission“. This program aims to select six individuals from various nations for a space flight experience, using a selection mechanism that combines merit with scientific dissemination. Candidates must accumulate points derived from interactions and support on social networks, transforming each “like” or registration into a kind of citizen vote that accredits them as space ambassadors of their countries of origin.
Perez Reyes’ career is not that of a rookie. Originally from El Farallón, in Actopan, Veracruz, he has been recognized as the “youngest analogue astronaut in the world”. This title is awarded to professionals who participate in simulation missions in extreme environments on Earth, designed to replicate conditions on the Moon or Mars. Its roadmap includes a mission at the LunAres Research Station in Poland (2021) and another at the Advanced Space Academy (ASA). Beyond analog exploration, his training is deeply technical: he has advanced experience in artificial intelligence, machine learning, quantum computing and materials science, fundamental disciplines for human adaptation in extraterrestrial environments.
Rigorous Preparation and the Decisive Role of Digital Support
The physical and technical preparation of the engineer is meticulous. He has received training at facilities associated with NASA, undergoing acrobatic flights that subject the body to forces greater than 7G, hypoxia training to adapt to rarefied atmospheres, and diving practices to simulate lunar gravity. In addition, it has operated state-of-the-art space flight simulators and used pressurized space suits identical to those of real missions. This rigorous process has made him an ideal profile for the mission.
However, in this phase of the SERA process, technical excellence must be accompanied by a demonstration of community leadership and outreach capacity. The selection mechanism prioritizes those candidates who can mobilize a base of followers, measuring their influence and reach. Therefore, the strategy to support the candidacy of Diego Pérez Reyes is concrete and accessible from any device with an internet connection. First, you need to join their official community by registering through the highlighted link in the bio of your profiles on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok. This direct registration is the action that grants the most points. Secondly, it is recommended to massively share your content on platforms such as TikTok and YouTube, amplifying your scientific message. Finally, it is crucial to follow their accounts (@astrodiegoperez) to receive updated instructions for each stage of the call and not lose details of this historical process.
This case study illustrates an emerging paradigm in commercial space exploration, where merit, scientific preparation and digital social capital intertwine to open the floodgates of the cosmos. Diego’s success would not only represent a personal achievement, but a symbolic milestone for Mexico’s participation in the global space economy, inspiring a new generation of scientists and engineers in the country.
Help write the next page of Mexican space exploration. Share this story on your social networks and visit Diego’s profile to register and follow his journey to the stars.
