Meet the host of NASA's first Spanish-language podcast

There is an excerpt of anHIVed recording.

A person says three, two, and one. Liftoff.

Micheal Martin is the host.

That was the sound of the Artemis I rocket as it lifted off this week. The cargo is going to a moon. It's part of NASA's plan to send two astronauts, including the first woman and first person of color, back to the moon as early as 25 years from now.

"Inverso Curioso De LA NASA" is the title of the radio show.

Noelia Gomez is speaking Spanish.

While blazing a path back to the moon, NASA is also blazing a new trail in a different way, with its first Spanish-language podcasts.

"Inverso Curioso De LA NASA" is the title of the radio show.

The person is speaking Spanish.

Noelia Gonzalez is the host of Universo Curioso De La NASA. NASA en Espanol is part of a larger push that includes live broadcasts and videos in Spanish. Noelia Gonzalez just returned from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and she is the host of "Universo Curioso De La NASA." Thank you so much, Noelia Gonzalez.

I would like to thank you for having me.

Thank you to all at NASA for the Artemis launch and for the show. That must have felt great.

Gonzales says it does. It makes you feel happy. It was simply amazing.

Tell us about the broader push to engage with a Spanish speaking audience. Why are some of the other projects important to you?

The Hispanic workforce in NASA is so eager to communicate with their communities that it was only a matter of time before NASA en Espaol was launched. We do broadcasts in Spanish, but we also have a podcasts. The landing on Mars in Spanish was hosted by Diana Trujillo, the flight director, who was also involved in the missions of Perseverance Rover and Ingenuity. Diana shouted "We have arrived" when Perseverance first landed. It's just a broadcast that keeps getting bigger. The people really responded to the fact that we are giving them important mission milestones that NASA has in their own language.

Is there any interview you've had that stands out to you or is there a particular interview that has caught the attention of the audience?

It's definitely true. They are all my favorites. I did an interview with another person. She works as a civil engineer. She is involved in a lot of systems related to the SLS rocket. She is very excited about her job.

"Inverso Curioso De LA NASA" is the title of the radio show.

In Spanish, IVETTE RIVERA APONTE means.

This is my favorite soundbite because it makes me feel good. She says that the kids in school are going to take us to Mars. When we communicate in Spanish, we always have that in mind. We are trying to inspire the next generations of kids and youth to get interested in space and exploration because of the communication products we are giving them.

I can't help but see parallels in some of your work about Latino and Latina contributions at NASA. "Hidden Figures" showed how three African American women helped launch John Glenn into space. It reminded me of that. This is laying the groundwork for the future and I'm listening to you about it. What is the ultimate goal of the project? Is it to encourage parents who speak Spanish but are bilingual to encourage their children to follow this path? Is it to let the audience know that it's for everyone? The Spanish speakers at NASA might be lifted up by it. The end goal, what do you think about it?

I believe it's all of that. Immigrants who are bilingual in the U.S. speak mostly English, and they are very passionate about space. They told us how they were able to share with their parents something that they cared about and they were interested in. It's just one of the goals, you know, seeing the link between, you know, that family and allowing them to, you know, discuss these missions and talk about this, that was, you know, it's just one of the goals.

We also get comments from parents who are excited about their kids being able to, you know, watch this broadcast, listen to this podcasts and just, you know, watch this video about the Ingenuity Mars helicopter. Our goal is to inform our audience. Maybe they don't know much about the NASA mission, but they want to learn more. We would like to show them that this is for them as well.

There are going to be people who are skeptical. The value of doing a broadcast in Spanish will be questioned by some people. What do you think about those who do?

Spanish is the second most spoken language in the US and the second most spoken language in the world. It is expected to increase in size. These figures are visible. There are people there. We want to show them their journey to NASA, their journey to working in space exploration and at the agency, and talk about their stories. This is just the first step.

I can think of something. You were a part of the live broadcast of the NASA en Espanol team as the Artemis I rocket prepared to blast off for the moon. The rocket is the most powerful ever. I'll try to keep that in check. You need to share that with your audience. Do you have a description of what that was like?

Yes, Gonzales. It was wrapped around you. You were inside the launch? You weren't just looking at it. The launch hub in the middle of the night was the reason you were happy. I thought that we are making history. This is history and witnessing history in the making, as well as thinking of all the people that we know that contributed to this mission. They made this happen. It was done by them. They were able to succeed. They just got it done. We were able to see the SLS leave Earth forever. We used to see it on the pads and talk about it. It was a pleasure. I hope I don't forget the memories I have.

Noelia Gonzalez is the host of NASA's first Spanish-language show. Current episodes of the show can be found on NASA's website. Noelia Gonzalez, thank you for your kind words. We want to thank you for joining us.

GONZALEZ: I want to thank you very much. It was a pleasure to be with you.

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