Astronaut and engineer Emily Calandrelli became the 100th woman to venture into space on November 22, 2024. Her historic milestone was marred by online misogyny after sexist comments flooded social media following the launch, led by Blue Origin.
Calandrelli, a West Virginia native, spent two decades working towards this moment. She described feeling emotional as she flew back from her experience in space, saying “I did it. I’m here. I’m in space!” However, instead of elation, she felt tears streaming down her face.
The online backlash came after footage of the launch was shared on social media, with many trolls making sexual comments about Calandrelli’s voice and reaction. The video was eventually taken down by Blue Origin.
In an Instagram post, Calandrelli wrote, “Instead of being on cloud nine, I’m crying in my seat staring out the window. Because of course this happened. Of course I should have expected this.” She attributed the negative comments to the overwhelming presence of internet trolls, who mocked her reaction to a dream come true.
However, Calandrelli has not let the online negativity deter her from sharing her excitement with others. The post featuring the video has received over 6 million views across TikTok and Instagram.
Calandrelli’s experience highlights the challenges faced by women in a male-dominated industry. According to World Space Flight statistics trackers, only 14% of those who have gone to space are female. Calandrelli emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in pursuing one’s dreams.
“I’d always dreamed of being a mom and you have this baby in your belly for nine months,” she said. “You love it, you see it on the sonogram, and then you finally get to meet them.”
Source: https://www.livescience.com/space/100th-woman-in-space-emily-calandrelli-stands-up-to-small-men-on-the-internet-i-should-have-expected-this