VAN HORN, USA – Emily Calandrelli, the MIT-educated engineer and television host known as “Space Gal,” made history last week as the 100th woman to travel to space.
Her moment of awe and joy, captured during Blue Origin’s NS-28 mission, resonated with many—but also attracted a wave of online harassment.
A video released by Blue Origin shows Calandrelli gazing out the window of the New Shepard spacecraft, marvelling at the view of Earth and exclaiming, “Oh my God, this is space.”
The emotional reaction, the culmination of a dream “decades in the making,” drew admiration from supporters.
Women and girls, inspired by her achievement, expressed their pride in social media posts, with some saying they had watched the launch live with their daughters.
However, trolls quickly descended, posting offensive comments about her reaction.
The barrage was so overwhelming that Blue Origin replaced the original video with an edited version, according to Calandrelli.
“I Refuse to Apologise”
Despite the negativity, Calandrelli has remained resolute in celebrating her achievement.
In a social media post addressing the comments, she wrote, “I refuse to give much time to the small men on the internet. I feel experiences in my soul. I will not apologise or feel weird about my reaction. It’s wholly mine and I love it.”
Calandrelli’s representatives emphasised her desire to focus on the positive impact her journey has had on inspiring others rather than giving attention to “misguided” detractors.
A Historic Flight
Friday’s mission marked Blue Origin’s ninth human spaceflight and took its six passengers beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of space.
The spacecraft offered minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth before returning to Blue Origin’s launch site in West Texas.
Joining Calandrelli were passengers Sharon Hagle, Marc Hagle, Austin Litteral, James (J.D.) Russell, and Henry (Hank) Wolfond.
Upon landing, Calandrelli compared seeing Earth from space to the transformative experience of motherhood.
“It was the same feeling I got when my kids were born, where I’m like, seeing it for the first time,” she said.
Support from Women
While trolls attempted to mar the moment, Calandrelli found solace and solidarity among women who rallied around her.
On her flight home, a Southwest Airlines flight attendant whispered words of encouragement: “Don’t let them dull your shine.”
“I felt an immediate sense of camaraderie with her, with all women,” Calandrelli said, reflecting on the exchange.
Her accomplishment adds her name to a legacy of trailblazing women in space, including Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman to fly to space in 1963, and Sally Ride, the first American woman to do so in 1983.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenges of navigating public life as a prominent female figure, Calandrelli’s focus remains on inspiring future generations.
Her journey reminds the world of the importance of celebrating scientific achievements and the individuals who make them possible.
“I feel so much joy and awe,” she wrote. “And nothing can take that away from me.”
