Emily Calandrelli, known as “The Space Gal,” has achieved a historic milestone by becoming the 100th woman to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s NS-28 suborbital flight. This achievement is not only a personal triumph for Calandrelli but also a significant step in increasing diversity within the industry.
Calandrelli, who has been passionate about space exploration since her studies in aerospace engineering, hopes to use her journey to inspire others and uplift underrepresented communities. Her flight not only highlighted issues close to her heart, such as those affecting West Virginia, but also became a platform for raising awareness and funds for the state’s foster care system.
With her NS-28 flight, Calandrelli turned her experience into a fundraiser, carrying people’s wishes to space while raising over $30,000. This effort showcases her commitment to using her privilege to make a positive impact.
Calandrelli’s goal is to build “science confidence” in kids and make science accessible and exciting for families, particularly those without a STEM background. She believes that having relatable role models and simple, hands-on experiments can help instill this confidence. With over four million followers across social media platforms and projects in books, television, and even a potential documentary about NS-28, Calandrelli is uniquely positioned to inspire the next generation of scientists.
As the 100th woman in space, Calandrelli feels grateful for the opportunity and acknowledges that it was easier for her to achieve this milestone due to the progress made by women who came before her. She hopes that future generations will be able to reach these milestones faster, with around 10-20 times more women flying to space within the next few thousand flights.
Calandrelli’s journey demonstrates the importance of representation and accessibility in STEM fields. By sharing her experiences, passion for science, and expertise, she continues to redefine what it means to be a space explorer and inspire others to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
Source: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/human-spaceflight/the-100th-woman-in-space-emily-calandrelli-talks-about-her-blue-origin-flight-and-inspiring-the-next-generation