Martorell to become first meteorologist to travel to space

“This is a great responsibility, and I never lose sight of the fact that I carry with me the dreams of thousands of Puerto Rican boys and girls who, like me, dream of becoming astronauts,” television meteorologist Deborah Martorell said of her planned space mission aboard Blue Origin this summer.

By The Star Staff

Television meteorologist Deborah Martorell announced on Monday that she will be the first in her profession to participate in a space mission, joining the Blue Origin astronaut family.

“I want to thank God for the opportunities He has placed in my path, which have led me on this journey to space,” Martorell said. “I also want to thank Blue Origin for giving me this historic opportunity.”

With over 30 years of experience in journalism, Martorell expressed pride in being the first meteorologist to go into space as a woman and a Puerto Rican.

“This is a great responsibility, and I never lose sight of the fact that I carry with me the dreams of thousands of Puerto Rican boys and girls who, like me, dream of becoming astronauts,” she said, adding: “It’s going to be a remarkable year for Puerto Rico, as we’ll be able to say we have both a teacher and a meteorologist reaching space,” acknowledging the achievements of fellow Puerto Rican Aymette Medina.

The announcement was made in Van Horn, Texas, where Martorell spent time with the crew members of Blue Origin’s NS-31 Mission, the first all-female crew, which made a brief (10 minutes and 21 seconds) trip into space.

Space has always been Martorell’s passion. She has documented the accomplishments of Puerto Rican astronauts Joseph Acabá and Marcos Berríos and reported on the launch of Puerto Rico’s first nanosatellite developed by local students. Her special reports include coverage from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, where she experienced a microgravity flight in 2008, and she reported on preparations for the Artemis missions in 2021.

She also provided special coverage of the shuttle Discovery mission in 2009 and conducted the first live news interview in Puerto Rico with an astronaut, Acabá, aboard the International Space Station.

Martorell said she will ensure her trip contributes to the advancement of science.

“The trip is scheduled for the summer of 2025, and I will be taking with me an experiment that I will announce soon, along with a gravity indicator designed by the students of the Dr. Carlos González de Aguada High School Technology Club,” the future astronaut revealed.

Martorell is known for being deeply committed to community organizations, and she hopes that the trip will hold significant meaning for Puerto Rico and the organizations she has always supported.