The Boy Who Reached for the Stars

“Heartwarming… . Morillo’s wonder at and pride in his experience is infectious … The Boy Who Reached for the Stars is every bit the inspiration he means it to be.” — Kirkus Reviews“This intimate memoir follows Morillo through a difficult, sometimes treacherous childhood to an adult life as a NASA scientist. Inspiring and joyous.” — People“Elio Morillo has lived what many of us would dream to do … [writing] from the heart, about education and the breaking of the generational poverty cycle. This book will … will inspire youth to pursue theirr own aerospace dreams.” — The National Space Society”Elio traveled from Ecuador to Puerto Rico to NASA to Mars. The story behind his robots reaching another planet is also the guide for every one of us to aim beyond our atmosphere. It’s a personal, humble story of family and engineering. Science and love. But also a blueprint so anybody, especially you, can reach beyond our planet and push harder. No matter who you are. No matter where you were born.“  — Freddy Vega, CEO of Platzi“This memoir is everything I needed to read as a young Latina dreaming of the stars. Elio Morillo not only perfectly conveys the reality many of us face but he also illuminates the way, so those that will come after us will know what’s ahead waiting for them.” — Katya Echazarreta, First Mexican-born Woman in Space and Electrical Engineer

Elio Morillo is a space systems engineer at Blue Origin. Previously he worked at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on the Mars 2020 mission, where he was a system testbed and operations engineer for the Perseverance rover and Ingenuity, the Mars helicopter. Born in Ecuador and raised in Puerto Rico and New York, Elio graduated from the University of Michigan with an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in electrical engineering as well as a master’s in systems engineering and design. In his free time, he enjoys giving talks on space, volunteering, and mentoring. Elio is passionate about exploration, expansion, and equitable access to space.