Reto Marte 2023 Engages Latin American University Students in Aerospace Innovation
Reto Marte 2023, a university hackathon launched in Puerto Rico with participation from five Latin American and Caribbean universities, aims to promote aerospace education and inspire youth towards space exploration. Supported by the Puerto Rico Department of Education, the event features three competitive phases and offers winners aerospace training at Space Center Houston.
Reto Marte 2023 is an educational hackathon initiated in Puerto Rico to encourage learning in aerospace fields while fostering creativity and entrepreneurship among university students. The event includes five universities from Latin America and the Caribbean: Caribbean University (Puerto Rico), Universidad CES (Colombia), Universidad Espíritu Santo (Ecuador), Universidad Privada Peruano Alemana (Peru), and Universidad del Caribe (Dominican Republic). The competition is structured in three stages—one local and two international—allowing a broad scope of participation. Notably, students who win the final stage will earn the opportunity to travel to Houston, Texas, for specialized aerospace training at Space Center Houston. The program is officially supported by the Puerto Rico Department of Education and aims to motivate young individuals to engage actively in space exploration efforts. While the hackathon’s outcomes and lasting impacts remain to be seen, it represents a notable regional initiative to connect academic communities with aerospace innovation and education.