All of us at the International Space University (ISU) are deeply saddened by the sudden loss of our alumnus and friend Oscar Federico Rosas Castillo, a young and promising aerospace engineer, an optimistic person who was always ready to help others. Oscar had a fatal accident while mountaineering on the French Alps on 8 August 2021. He had studied engineering in his home country of Mexico and in France. He attended ISU’s Southern Hemisphere Space Studies Program (SHSSP20) in Adelaide, Australia in 2020. This summer, Oscar took leave from his job in California to volunteer as support staff at the ISU Space Studies Program (SSP21) in Strasbourg. During a group counseling session all agreed that Oscar was a fantastic person and participant liaison, always friendly and very conscientious. He wanted the SSP participants to have the best time. “We all love him,” said one participant.
Gary Martin, SSP21 Strasbourg director added: “Oscar was always authentic and optimistic, a great person to be around. He was such a strong spirit. The world is not as bright today.”
Our condolences go to his family and friends. He will be sorely missed – we will all remember his bright smile.
Photo (from left to right): Yukio Ueta (SSP21 Associate Chair Space Applications department), Oscar Federico Rosas Castillo (SHSSP20 alumnus, SSP21 Participant Liaison), Bill Hamm (SSP21 Associate Chair Space Applications department)