UC Chile Student Aspires to Become the First Chilean Female Astronaut
Matilde Gaete, a UC Chile student was selected for prestigious astronaut training at the International Academy of Astronautics, Florida, USA.
photo_camera Matilde Gaete has been passionate about space since her school years, and she was admitted to UC Chile through the NACE program (Scientists to Entrepreneurs Admission Program), which recognizes the exceptional achievements of high school students in STEM fields.
Matilde Gaete, a second-year engineering student at UC Chile, was selected by the International Academy of Astronautics in Florida to join its prestigious advanced astronaut training program.
She entered UC Chile through the NACE program after gaining recognition in high school for her educational nanosatellite kits. Now, she aims to start aerospace training next year.
The training includes aerobatic flight, zero-gravity simulation, and space suit usage, explained Gaete, highlighting the selection process and how this experience could shape her professional development.
She added that the aerospace project also represents an opportunity for many women with talents and capabilities in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), where female participation is still low.
“I want to inspire more students in these disciplines and show that our country can also be part of the new era of the aerospace industry,” said the aspiring astronaut who hopes to become the first female Chilean astronaut.
Matilde has been interested in space exploration from an early age. This motivation not only led her to participate in a NASA space camp during high school, but also to create OCTA, an initiative that develops nanosatellite educational kits for STEM classes.
Currently, this venture is featured in the inaugural edition of the Aerospace Academy, organized by Preingeniería (Pre-engineering) UC Chile. This educational program, aimed at high school students, runs every Saturday until October, 2024.
Pre-engineering is an initiative of UC Chile’s School of Engineering that brings science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) closer to children, youth, and schoolteachers, empowering them through various educational and outreach experiences.
