Abstract#

This project seeks to generate solid foundationsneeded for a self-sustaining, self-governing settlement on the Moon by activating the foundations for the Mexico and Latin America Astronaut Training Agency as a gateway for astronaut readiness, analog mission preparation, contributor development, academic research and public engagement.

Explained simply: if MoonDAO wants people to live on the Moon by 2030, it needs more than rockets. It also needs prepared people, trusted partners, training pathways, and strong communities that know how to support life and work in extreme environments. This project is a first practical step toward that goal.

In 90-180 days, this pilot will map relevant organizations, validate key experts and institutions, identify lunar-relevant readiness training pathways, and produce a practical framework MoonDAO can use for future training future astronauts, partnerships, analog mission preparation, and contributor development in Mexico and Latin America.

Problem#

MoonDAO's mission is to accelerate the creation of a self-sustaining, self-governing settlement on the Moon by 2030 to act as a launch point for humanity to explore the cosmos. To make that real, MoonDAO needs more than technology and funding. It also needs human infrastructure: trained contributors, operational readiness pathways, analog mission ecosystems and interconnected networks, educational bridges, strong communications, and global partner networks.

Mexico and Latin America have strong potential in education, extreme-environment preparation, analog mission already working, public engagement, human performance, and community building. However, this potential is fragmented. There is no MoonDAO-aligned framework showing how people, institutions, and ecosystems from the region can best contribute to future lunar settlement efforts.

Without that bridge, we risk missing a high-potential region that could contribute meaningfully to astronaut readiness, analog mission support, human factors, communications, education, and global movement-building for lunar civilization.

Solution#

This proposal creates a focused 90-180-day pilot to establish the first gateway layer of a MoonDAO-aligned Mexico and LATAM astronaut and lunar readiness training ecosystem.

The work has four main parts.

First, the project will map 80 to 120 relevant organizations, initiatives, and ecosystems in Mexico, Latin America, and selected global comparators. This includes astronaut training initiatives, analog mission programs, human-performance ecosystems, diving and hyperbaric contexts, education innovation networks, STEAM ecosystems, and space communications initiatives.

Second, the project will conduct 10 to 15 targeted validation conversations or structured inputs with relevant experts, institutions, operators, and thought leaders. The goal is not to create a giant database for its own sake. The goal is to validate what MoonDAO actually needs to know to build future lunar-relevant human infrastructure in the region.

Third, the project will synthesize the findings into a Mexico and Latin America Astronaut Training Agency Readiness Framework v1, showing high-value contributor pathways, key competency clusters, strategic institutional allies, regional strengths, and readiness gaps for future lunar support efforts.

Fourth, the project will produce a concise roadmap showing how we could use this pilot in future phases to build astronaut readiness programs, analog mission pathways, educational collaborations, public engagement initiatives, and regional contributor pipelines aligned with lunar settlement.

Alternative solutions considered One option was to propose a much larger agency buildout from the beginning. That approach was rejected because it is too large for a quarterly project and does not fit the current budget constraints.

Another option was to create only a general aerospace workforce report. That was rejected because it was not sufficiently aligned with MoonDAO's lunar mission.

The selected approach is more strategic: a lean pilot that directly supports MoonDAO's long-term lunar vision while laying the groundwork for a future astronaut training and readiness ecosystem in Mexico and Latin America.

Open questions

• Which institutions in Mexico and LATAM are most relevant to engage first?
• Which competencies matter most for future lunar-relevant contributors?
• Which readiness pathways can be activated quickly through training, analog preparation, or partnerships?
• Which parts of a future Astronaut Training Agency vision are most viable as next-phase MoonDAO collaborations?

Future directions If successful, this pilot can support future aligned initiatives such as astronaut readiness cohorts, analog mission preparation programs, Mexico/LATAM contributor pipelines, educational alliances, and the long-term development of a regional astronaut training ecosystem that serves MoonDAO's lunar mission.

Benefits#

This project gives MoonDAO a practical tool for expanding its human infrastructure in a high-potential region. Instead of generic outreach, MoonDAO gains a strategic readiness framework tied directly to its mission of building a self-sustaining, self-governing settlement on the Moon.

It also gives MoonDAO a credible bridge into Mexico and Latin America through a project that connects astronaut preparation, analog readiness, human performance, education, communications, intercultural knowledge, and mission-aligned ecosystem building.

A third benefit is execution clarity. Rather than discussing lunar civilization only at the level of vision, this pilot identifies specific people, institutions, readiness pathways, and collaboration opportunities that can help MoonDAO move from inspiration to readiness.

Risks#

One risk is that the project becomes too broad. This will be managed by keeping the first phase tightly focused on mapping, validation, and framework creation rather than trying to launch a full agency immediately.

Another risk is weak mission alignment if the work drifts into general aerospace analysis. This will be addressed by keeping the project centered on setting the foundations for a MoonDAO and Mexico and Latin America Astronaut Training Agency for Lunar Readiness Gateway, astronaut readiness, analog preparation, human factors, contributor development, and public engagement.

A third risk is low response rates from experts or institutions. This will be addressed by using public information as the main base and relying on targeted validation rather than depending on a large-scale survey.

A fourth risk is overpromising future execution. This will be addressed by positioning the project honestly as a gateway pilot, not a full institutional launch.

Objectives#

Objective #1: What do you want to achieve with this project? Be specific.#

Develop and deliver a MoonDAO LATAM Astronaut & Lunar Readiness Framework within 90-180 days that identifies the most relevant contributors, partnerships, competencies, and readiness pathways in Mexico and Latin America to support MoonDAO's long-term mission of building a self-sustaining lunar settlement.

Key Results for Objective #1:#

• Map and categorize 80 to 120 relevant organizations and initiatives
• Secure 10 to 15 targeted validation inputs from experts or institutions
• Publish 1 MoonDAO LATAM Astronaut Tanning Agency for Lunar Readiness Framework v1
• Deliver 1 final report, 1 strategic partner shortlist, and 1 next-phase roadmap by the project deadline

Member(s) responsible for OKR and their role:#

All

Team (Table A)#

Project Lead:#

The Project Lead and representative for the project within the MoonDAO Senate. The Project Lead is responsible for:

• Present at monthly town hall meetings
• Create weekly written updates to the community on the progress of the project in the "what did you get done this week" channel on Discord
• Add team members, remove team members, and make decisions about the use of the budget throughout the lifetime of the project
• Manage the Multisig Treasury for the project as well as the payments for each of the members
• Create the Final Report and return unused funds to the MoonDAO Treasury

Initial Team:#

Projects may not need an initial team. It can just be an individual submitting a proposal. Team members are responsible for:

• Posting a weekly update in the "what did you get done this week" channel on Discord with their contributions that week

Project Lead @OscarOfarrill

Oscar Iván O'Farrill Cobo is the founder of the Astronaut Training Agency of Mexico and Latin America and the visionary behind the Lunar Readiness Gateway Pilot, a multidisciplinary psychologist, strategist, educator, and ecosystem builder whose work bridges cognitive and learning psychology, forensic psychology, human development, educational innovation, executive coaching, talent consulting, ancestral medicines, and aerospace vision.He has developed an uncommon profile that integrates clinical, academic, organizational, and social expertise with a strong commitment to conscious transformation, leadership development, and future-oriented systems design. His trajectory brings together mental health, disruptive education, STEAM innovation, high-performance training, intercultural wisdom, and analog astronaut preparation, positioning him as a unique leader capable of connecting human flourishing with the long-term future of space exploration and the broader evolution of humanity.

Initial Team Role 1: "Extreme-Environment Readiness Lead" — Carlos Herrera Dr. Carlos Herrera leads the extreme-environment readiness dimension of the pilot. His expertise includes diving, hyperbaric systems, physiological adaptation, operational safety, and human performance contexts relevant to astronaut preparation and analog support models. Deliverable: Readiness input and operational guidance for extreme-environment support dimensions of the framework.

Role 2: "Marketing, Communications, and Social Media Lead" — Rodrigo Mondragón Rodrigo Mondragón leads public storytelling, community engagement, digital dissemination, and mission-aligned communication strategy. Deliverable: Communications strategy, public-facing narrative support, and dissemination assets.

Team Bios#

Project Lead: Bio and Social Links#

Oscar O'Farrill Cobo Psychologist, strategist, educator, and ecosystem builder with experience in cognitive science, human development, learning systems, innovation, analog mission vision, and international collaboration. His work connects education, human performance, astronaut readiness, and future-oriented ecosystem development across Latin America. He will serve as project lead, primary strategist, and MoonDAO representative for this pilot. Social Links: To be added in final submission.

Team Member #1: Bio and Social Links#

Carlos Herrera: MD Carlos Herrera contributes expertise in Airspace Medicine and hyperbaric systems, bringing experience relevant to human adaptation, physiological resilience, operational safety, and extreme-environment support. His perspective strengthens the project's connection to astronaut readiness, analog preparation, and future lunar-relevant human performance frameworks. Social Links: https://www.instagram.com/carlosoceandoctor?igsh=a2V2bHJmbnp6b3Y3

Team Member #2: Bio and Social Links#

Rodrigo Mondragón: Rodrigo Mondragón supports the project through marketing, communications, and social media strategy. His work helps translate technical outputs into clear narratives, stronger public visibility, audience engagement, and broader cultural reach aligned with MoonDAO's mission and long-term community growth. Social Links: https://www.instagram.com/maxa_uki?igsh=dTduMDRqdmwxM3dn

Advisory Council / Strategic Council (non-budgeted)

• John Spencer – Space tourism
• Inara Tabir – Multi Planetary Society
• Jared Angaza – Passage Collective
• Roxy – Space Roxy
• Julio Resendis – Habitat Marte Brasil
• Jeez Moya-Salazar – Analog Astronaut Medical Chief
• Alejandrina Pedro Castañeda – Mazatec elder
• Lauro Hinostroza – Peruvian elder
• Cristino Perez – Elder and Sundance Chief of Mexico
• Sugata Mitra – Innovation in education
• Ricardo Baquero – Argentine innovator in education
• Mark Wagner – STEAM education (Confirmation pending)
• Fermin Romero – Café espacial (Confirmation pending)
• Gonzalo Martin – European Space Agency (Confirmation pending)
• Lori Guisewite – Cross-sector consultant in global real estate, intergalactic strategy advisor, and volunteer with Space for Humanity (Confirmation pending)
• Frank White – Overview Effect (Confirmation pending)
• Ron Rosanno – Astronaut (Confirmation pending)
• Loretta Hidalgo – SpaceKind training program (Confirmation pending)
• Wolf – Native American elder

Timeline (Table B)#

Deadline for the project: End of Q3.

Budget (Table C)#

Total $4,600 USDC equivalent