NW Valley Times

Former Grand Canyon University (GCU) student Celene Meraz-Benavente is pursuing her dream of space exploration by training with the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences. Her journey began in a trailer park community in rural Colorado, where she would gaze at the stars without imagining that space travel could be part of her future.

Financial constraints initially seemed to limit her educational opportunities, but a scholarship from GCU for playing flute and academic achievements opened doors. "From that day, everything has been incredible," Meraz-Benavente reflected on her time at GCU.

Currently enrolled in the Scientist-Astronaut Qualification Program supported by NASA, Meraz-Benavente described maneuvering in microgravity as one of the essential skills she had to acquire. "I felt like GCU was looking after me. I felt like I was in the right place," she shared from Australia.

Her journey took off when she joined GCU's Disney College Program at Walt Disney World in 2014, which included her first flight experience. This led to new opportunities and connections, including meeting her future husband during an internship.

After relocating to Australia and enrolling at Federation University to study physiotherapy, a film about Neil Armstrong inspired her to consider space exploration seriously. Encouraged by her husband’s support, she leveraged her background in electrical engineering and physiotherapy towards helping astronauts walk more comfortably.

In 2023, Meraz-Benavente was accepted into a training program with other candidates from different countries. They trained at the Florida Institute of Technology on tasks such as self-diagnosing hypoxic symptoms and conducting experiments related to astronaut safety during moonwalks.

"This training is about learning how to be safe," she explained. Her research focuses on preventing falls among astronauts—a critical concern highlighted by past Apollo missions—and aims to publish findings later this year.

Her training also involved aerobatic flight experiences simulating varying gravitational forces and breathing techniques essential for sub-orbital missions planned within five to ten years with companies like Virgin Galactic.

Meraz-Benavente credits much of her progress to the confidence gained at GCU and support from sponsors like MKPro Engineering and Fleet Space Technologies. "It hasn’t been a linear experience," she noted while emphasizing perseverance through challenges. "Why cannot it be me?"