Embry-Riddle Eagle Selected to Become First Argentine Civilian Astronaut on a Future Crewed Spaceflight

Growing up in Argentina, Maria Noel de Castro Campos dreamed of becoming an astronaut and working in the space industry, but she saw few opportunities to achieve that goal.

“I was not finding a path in my country,” said de Castro, who graduated in December with her master’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

In September 2025, de Castro met Argentine President Javier Milei (third from left) for lunch when he was visiting Los Angeles to talk about possible space opportunities for her home country. (Photo: Office of the President of Argentina)

But de Castro was determined to find a way — even meeting with Argentine President Javier Milei last fall. Because of her determination, talent and education, she recently received the support of President Milei to become the first Argentine civilian astronaut to participate in a potential future crewed spaceflight mission. The crew of the future mission has not been selected, but de Castro has the endorsement of Argentina’s space commission and the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology as well. 

“It’s been a long process to pursue this potential mission,” she said. “I’m very happy and feel ready to represent my country and have this opportunity.”

De Castro could become the first Argentine astronaut to join a crew of a commercial human spaceflight mission, as part of an agreement between U.S. private space company Axiom Space and Argentina’s National Commission for Space Activities, known by its Spanish initials CONAE, and the Secretariat of Innovation, Science and Technology.

As part of this potential mission, de Castro said she would undergo nine months of astronaut training in Texas and Florida. The potential mission is expected to be a short duration mission and includes three other astronauts.

Hector G. Ramos, site director of the Embry-Riddle Worldwide Dallas-Fort Worth – Southlake Campus, where de Castro was a student, wasn’t surprised at her success.

“What sets Noel apart is her resilience,” said Ramos. “Challenges do not deter her. Instead, she recalibrates, aims for the bullseye and presses forward with unwavering determination.”

Shooting for the Stars

It hasn’t been an easy path. De Castro, a biomedical engineer in Argentina, has spent the last two years studying in the U.S. and working towards her goal. She earned her private pilot’s certificate and learned to scuba dive and skydive.

She began talking to her country's space commission and Axiom Space about developing possible partnerships and space initiatives for Argentina. Then in September 2025, she met President Milei for lunch when he was visiting Los Angeles to discuss possible space opportunities for her home country.

“I told him the space industry is growing a lot, and it is going to grow even more,” said de Castro. “Now is Argentina’s opportunity to be part of it.”

De Castro said she is grateful for the support of faculty and staff at Embry-Riddle.

“Hector was so encouraging, and I met so many other students, including other international students, who were interested in the space industry,” said de Castro. “I really had a good experience at Embry-Riddle and always felt supported.”

De Castro and her fiancé, David Guajardo, who is pursuing his master’s degree in Space Operations at Embry-Riddle Worldwide and shares her love for space. (Photo: Embry-Riddle/Krystel Knowles)

She is also thankful for her fiancé, David Guajardo, who is pursuing his master’s degree in Space Operations at Embry-Riddle Worldwide and shares her love for space. Guajardo, who is from Mexico, is founder of Mexanauta, a space education and outreach platform aimed at connecting Latin Americans with the global space industry.

“We both have a passion for the space industry and bringing it to Latin Americans, through education and industry,” said Guajardo, who currently lives in Houston with de Castro and their cat Rocket. “Watching her on a daily basis has been amazing. She has a gift for communicating with people.”

For de Castro, her goal is not only to achieve her own dreams of space — but to pave the way for others.

“Coming to the U.S. and Embry-Riddle and learning about the space industry was a big step for me,” she said. “But it is my responsibility to take this knowledge back to Argentina and share these new opportunities with other Latin Americans."