Carlos Noriega: The First and Only Peruvian Astronaut's Legacy in Space Exploration and its Impact on Future Generations

Tarazona-Torres A.G.; Duran-Aquino R.C.; Arias S.O. · Proceedings of the International Astronautical Congress, IAC (2025) · DOI: 10.52202/083097-0076

Resumen

Carlos Ismael Noriega, the first and only Peruvian astronaut to date, has left an indelible mark on the history of human space exploration through his work with NASA. His participation in critical missions, including STS-84 and STS-97, where he contributed to the construction of the International Space Station and performed multiple Extravehicular Activities (EVAs), underscores both his technical expertise and the resilience needed to excel in this field. Despite his significant accomplishments, Noriega's story remains largely unrecognized in his home country of Peru. This paper explores Noriega's contributions as a Latin American space pioneer and the importance of his achievements for inspiring future generations in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. We advocate for increased recognition of Noriega's legacy, emphasizing the need to integrate his narrative into educational frameworks to motivate young Peruvians and other Latin Americans to pursue careers in space and science. Copyright

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos