With innovation, passion, and a commitment to excellence, Dominican students have won 15 international awards and established themselves as leaders in aerospace engineering
By Carolyne Bello
Special for El Inmobiliario
SANTO DOMINGO. – The Apollo 27 team from the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC) continues to raise the profile of the Dominican Republic on the international stage, following outstanding performances in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge, where it has established itself as one of the most competitive teams in Latin America.
In the 2026 edition, the team set a new milestone by presenting the lightest and most efficient rover in its history, weighing just 126 pounds. This design allowed them to achieve record times in mobility and collection tests, setting new standards within the competition and reaffirming the level of Dominican engineering in highly demanding technological scenarios.
A dream that was born in 2018 and today inspires the world
In an interview with El Inmobiliario, the team's mentor, Ezequiel Díaz, explained that the project was born at INTEC with the vision of forming a group capable of competing in the prestigious NASA challenge.
The project was initially spearheaded by Professor Irvin Cedeño and Dr. Abraham Dauhajre, and later led by Díaz as mentor. From its inception, the team faced technical, economic, and human challenges, which were overcome thanks to the discipline and perseverance of its members, the executive explains.
In 2019, Apollo 27 was accepted by NASA for the first time, marking a turning point in its history.
15 awards, 7 years old and a single girl on a mission: to make history
In seven years of continuous participation, the team has won 15 international awards in the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge, positioning itself as one of the most successful in the competition.
Díaz highlighted that in 2026 NASA introduced the STEM Industry Award, which was won by Apollo 27. In 2025, the team also conquered the RC challenge, consolidating its international performance.
He also highlighted the team's consistency in the Team Spirit category, where it has been recognized for four consecutive years (2023–2026). This award is given by vote among all participating teams and is considered one of the most prestigious at the event.
The mentor also expressed his pride in the team's achievements, stating: "Apollo 27 has tremendous DNA. Glory to God!".
More than a team: a high-performance structure
Apolo 27 is comprised of talented young people from various regions of the country, united by excellence, innovation, and commitment. Its organizational structure is organized into strategic areas, under the guidance of Ezequiel Díaz, the main mentor, along with Irvin Cedeño.
In the area of leadership, it stands out for its vision and direction, made up of graduate Miguel Arredondo as advisor and tutor, accompanied by Marianny Mercedes, team captain, and Julio Ruiz, security officer.
Pride and commitment
Marianny Mercedes, captain of Apollo 27, expressed that being part of the NASA HERC experience represents a profound sense of pride and commitment, leading a team that has proudly represented the Dominican Republic and INTEC. “I feel extremely grateful for this opportunity to be captain of Apollo 27. This experience represents a great responsibility and, at the same time, an immense honor,” she stated.
He added that his role has allowed him to guide an extraordinary group that took on the challenge with passion, discipline and love for engineering, also highlighting the team's impact on inspiring children and young people to continue their education in STEM areas.
In manufacturing, the team is led by Arturo Méndez along with Kelvin Reyes, Richard Méndez, Jafet Ramos, Yaretzi Reinoso, Pablo Gómez, César Martínez and Rayner Rodríguez, who are in charge of the rover's technical development.
Pedro Rojas and Geraldine Hernández, responsible for the project's sustainability, are involved in the financing area.
The STEM Education team, a driver of social impact and training of future generations, is made up of Allison Pérez, Emily Estrella, Vivian Saviñón, Erick Jefferson and Gabriela, bringing knowledge and inspiration to thousands of children and young people.
In Communication and Networks, David Valentín, Krystal Mármol and Yanileidy Paulino project the identity and reach of the team, strengthening its presence and connection with the community.
A common purpose
In that sense, David Valentín, a member of the communications and networks area, shared his experience within the team: “For me it was an unforgettable experience, not only participating, but being able to be fully involved in the expansion of knowledge, bringing that passion and excellence that characterizes us to each boy or girl, so that they not only see a team, but know that if they take this path, they can become great.”.
Furthermore, he emphasized that being part of Apollo 27 means joining a family with a shared purpose, where the main challenges revolve around constant self-improvement and going the extra mile, not only as a team, but also from a personal conviction based on faith and discipline. In that sense, he stressed that the work done, including the social media strategy, has always been geared towards a high-value educational purpose.
Finally, he conveyed a message to other students: “Let no situation or adversity disconnect you from your goal, always trust in God, put Him first, obeying Him with discipline and attitude, so that you may see how He can act in your lives.”.
This collective effort is enriched by the mentorship of Diana Soto, Vantroi Morillo, Manuel Mancebo, Manuel Guerrero and Angello Ortiz, as well as the support of Esteban Peñalo and David Morel.
National pride with global impact
A group that not only builds rovers: it builds opportunities, inspires thousands of young people, and puts the Dominican Republic on the map of scientific innovation.
With the support of public and private institutions, the team demonstrates that when education, industry, and passion come together, the country moves forward.
In a final message, Ezequiel Díaz urged, “Put God first in everything you do, have faith, embrace excellence, and dream big. Know that there is much, much talent in this land.”.
Apollo 27 represents something bigger than competition: it's evidence that Dominican dreams can go far. It's proof that youth can transform the future and is an inspiration for new generations.
Recommended readings:
