About
I’m an engineer and PhD student in Aeronautics and Astronautics at Purdue University.
My work spans robotics, microgravity experiments, and collaborative space projects in Central America, including Morazán.
Awards, education & experience
Recognition
Moonshot Pitch Competition Winner
Sentinel Space · First place, Moonshot category. With Sidh Sikka.
Somos Purdue Award
Selected Member for the first crew of the Student Analog Astronaut Training Program (Purdue SEARCH)
Earlier awards & recognition
- 2018 - Tribute (graduation held in my honor) - Colegio Cientifico de Perez Zeledon
- 2018 - Business Pitch Competition Winner, Business and Management Department (ISU)
- 2017 - Finalist, Singularity University Costa Rica Global Impact Challenge
- 2016 - 3rd Campaign Winner, UNOOSA DropTES Fellowship Program
- 2014 - 1st Place at RobotiFest, National Robotics Contest
- 2013 and 2014 - Academic Excellence Scholarship, University of Costa Rica
- 2012 - US Department of State Scholarship Grantee, Global UGRAD Program
- 2012 and 2014 - 2nd and 3rd Place at National Robot Olympiad
- 2009 and 2010 - Honorific Mention XII and XIII Costa Rican Physics Olympiads
- 2010 - Math Olympiad Finalist
- 2010 - Regional Science Fair Winner and National Science Fair Finalist
Education
International Space University
31st Space Studies Program (2018)
Business and Management Minor
GPA: 4.0
University of Costa Rica
Mechanical Engineering (2011-2016)
Minor in Electrical Engineering
Class top 5% (2/42)
University of Minnesota
Mechanical Engineering (H2 2012)
One semester abroad through a US Department of State scholarship
Outreach
I offer free talks about aerospace engineering and my career path to high school students.
Arrange a student talkLeadership & community
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2020 - Morazan Project, 1st Honduran satellite
Created initial work plans, organization models, and schedules for almost 40 students across project segments.
Coordinated bi-weekly subteam meetings to track progress, provide guidance, and maintain delivery rhythm.
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2019 - Organizer of the 1st Central American Space Generation Workshop
Managed delegate communications, moderated meetings, invited speakers, coordinated sponsor support, and helped deliver a record participation of about 150 delegates.
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2016 - DropTES 3rd Round, research team coordinator
Proposed the microgravity experiment that won UNOOSA DropTES and coordinated team scope, schedule, and readiness constraints.
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2015 - Staff member of the 1st Costa Rican Rocketry Camp
Supported event organization, provided build guidance, and assisted attendees through model-rocketry activities.
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2012 - Robotics Group, University of Costa Rica
Co-founded the first robotics group at UCR to create shared space, mentorship, and infrastructure for student robotics projects.
Interviews, news & talks
Podcasts and Interviews
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EpiSTEMasepiSTEMas Episode E061
Podcast conversation about aerospace engineering and Central American participation in space.
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YouTube / UNOOSAUNOOSA LEAD Youth Innovation Festival Panel
Panel segment with the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs.
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YouTubeLa Reaccion CR Interview
Spanish-language media interview and discussion.
News and Feature Articles
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Purdue News · September 2026Innovative solutions abound at Moonshot Pitch Challenge
Purdue highlights Sentinel Space’s first-place finish in the Moonshot category, with Moacir Fonseca Becker and Sidh Sikka.
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Universe TodayHow Kerbal Space Program Is Inspiring Real Mission Designs
Feature story mentioning Moacir F. Becker in mission-design context.
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Universidad de Costa RicaRobotifest Projects at UCR
University article about robotics projects and competition outcomes.
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UNOOSADropTES Third Cycle Overview
Official overview of the third DropTES cycle and participating teams.
Official and Institutional Pages
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UNOOSAUNOOSA Hypergravity and Microgravity Webinar Track
DropTES winner references with webinar materials.
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UNOOSAUNOOSA Awardees: Costa Rica TEC and UCR
Institutional awardee listing for Costa Rica participants.
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UNOOSAUNOOSA Common Webinars
Webinar index referencing DropTES and related media.
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Proyecto Morazan / UNAHMRZ-SAT Project Site
Official mission page with team and project information.
Talks, Outreach and Profiles
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Purdue BoilerLinkPurdue TicoTalk Event
BoilerLink event listing featuring Moacir Fonseca Becker.
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FacebookEducational Outreach: Colegio Cientifico de San Vito
Outreach post for high-school students on aerospace pathways.
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Google ScholarGoogle Scholar Profile
Academic profile with citations and research record.
- moacir.space
Official Personal Site
Primary personal website and portfolio.
Tools & methods
Software
Programming, machine learning, and AI-assisted development using large language models and agentic workflows.
- Python
- Java
- Machine Learning
- MATLAB
- Large language models (LLMs)
- Agentic workflows