Carmen Victoria Félix Chaidez is a scientist, engineer, and the first Mexican to work on simulations for future Mars missions with space analogs.

She has been credited in part for creating the Mexican Space Agency and promoting space-related careers in her native country.

Her work has been recognized by her home state of Sinaloa and Quien magazine named her as one of 50 Mexicans transforming the country in 2017.

[1][6] Astronaut Mike Massimino told her to study the sciences and engineering, fields NASA prefers, but of a type she had a passion for.

Despite this, she attended space conferences and other events such as the National Astronomy Congress, which allowed her to meet people in her future field.

[7] As she grew older and gained more experience in her field of study/career, in 2008 Félix actively worked to spread awareness and opportunities regarding space in her country.

As part of her graduate studies, Félix interned at NASA, working with the small satellite division.

[1] Another program sponsors four high school students and a teacher to spend time with NASA to learn about the work.

She is an active participant with space analogs, which are dedicated to simulations and tests related to environments and situations astronauts will face with long-term stays on the red planet.

[6][9] One of the purposes of the mission was to experience and document personal interactions among the crew forced to be together 24 hours a day in a small space.

Working to advance human space exploration and spaceflight, Félix has significantly contributed while developing her own experience in satellite technology.

[7] She was named an Exemplary Sinaloan in the World (Sinaloense Ejemplar en el Mundo) by her home state.