What began as a dream in a classroom in San Miguel de Allende has become an international success story: Manuel Retana Parra, a 30-year-old aerospace engineer, is leading the development of emergency equipment for astronauts on NASA’s Artemis II mission.
Manuel discovered his passion for space as a child, when he was in high school, watching a rocket launch. But he never imagined that years later he would be part of one of the most important missions for the return of humans to the moon.
His path wasn’t easy. Manuel was born in the United States but grew up in San Miguel de Allende and faced difficulties such as not speaking English and financial limitations. At 15, he returned to the United States, where, with family support and academic scholarships, he was able to complete his university studies.
After multiple failed attempts (11 rejections), he landed an internship at NASA at the age of 20. But it wasn’t until 2020 that he was formally hired as an engineer, and he currently leads a team of 15 specialists.
His work on Artemis II involves developing emergency systems within the Orion spacecraft, such as masks and filters that allow astronauts to survive in case of fire. This equipment, the result of several years of work, is key to the crew’s safety.
The engineer, who also studied at Stanford University, emphasizes that his greatest responsibility is ensuring that every component functions perfectly, as the astronauts’ lives depend on it.
Although he currently lives in Houston, Retana maintains his roots in Guanajuato, which he visits frequently. In the future, he hopes to inspire young people interested in space and dedicate himself to teaching.
Source: lasillarota
