Ángel Menéndez Takes his Story of Science, Perseverance and Big Dreams to Guatemalan Students
Guatemaltecos Ilustres Orator 2026 Ángel Menéndez shared his journey in science, technology and aerospace engineering with students in Guatemala.
As part of the Galardón Guatemaltecos Ilustres, Ángel Menéndez, Guatemalteco Ilustre Orator 2026, traveled from Taiwan to Guatemala to share his professional journey in science and technology with students and educators, delivering a message centered on perseverance, education and confidence in pursuing big dreams.
A journey connecting international experience with new generations
The tour gave young people the opportunity to learn firsthand about the experience of a Guatemalan professional who has built an international career in science, technology and aerospace engineering.
During his visit to Alta Verapaz, Menéndez delivered talks at the Centro Universitario del Norte (CUNOR), the Instituto Normal Mixto del Norte and the Municipal Gymnasium of Carchá. Throughout these meetings, he shared the challenges he faced while studying and working abroad, his process of adapting to a new culture and how discipline and curiosity led him to participate in satellite projects with international reach.
The tour later continued in San Marcos, where he met with students and teachers from different educational institutions gathered at the Complejo Social Municipal. During the event, young attendees learned more about his work, academic background and the opportunities offered by careers related to science and technology.
Ángel Menéndez also participated in meetings with authorities and media representatives in Cobán, San Pedro Carchá and San Marcos.
A dream inspired by childhood curiosity
Menéndez's interest in space began when he was a child. Because he had asthma, he had to use a nebulization mask for extended periods. His mother turned the experience into a game by telling him that astronauts breathed in a similar way.
From that moment, he began imagining a future connected to space, science and engineering.
Years later, he received a scholarship to study in Taiwan, where he simultaneously pursued Mechanical Engineering in English and Electronic Engineering in Mandarin Chinese. He later completed a master's degree in Aerospace Engineering and continued his doctoral studies at National Cheng Kung University in Tainan.
Building a career through satellite engineering
Menéndez currently serves as Project Manager for the Lilium project and Satellite Operations Manager at the university's SPACELAB laboratory.
Since 2016, he has worked on more than 12 satellites, contributing in areas including thermal engineering, structural engineering, satellite attitude control and the operation of satellites in orbit.
His experience also includes remote collaboration on Quetzal-1, Guatemala's first satellite, as well as leading engineering teams made up of universities, companies and research institutions in Taiwan.
Galardón Guatemaltecos Ilustres highlights stories of achievement
Since its creation, Universales' Galardón Guatemaltecos Ilustres has recognized outstanding citizens in the Social, Scientific, Business, Artistic and Sports categories.
Within this framework, Ángel Menéndez's tour brought his professional and personal journey closer to new generations, sharing experiences connected to education, effort and continuous learning.
Through his meetings with students and educators in Alta Verapaz and San Marcos, the Guatemalteco Ilustre Orator 2026 shared the path that took him from childhood dreams of space to an international career in science, technology and aerospace engineering.
