Emily Calandrelli, known as “The Space Gal” and host of the Netflix show “Emily’s Wonder Lab,” is set to fly to suborbital space with Blue Origin in an upcoming mission. While the launch date has not been announced yet, she will be flying as a Citizen Astronaut Program (CAP) Ambassador for the nonprofit organization Space For Humanity.
In a recent interview with Space.com, Calandrelli shared her journey from being an engineer to becoming a science communicator and TV host. She discussed how her passion for space and STEAM subjects (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) led her to where she is today. Despite not initially seeing herself in the field of science as a child, she discovered her love for engineering in college and pursued a career in aerospace engineering.
Calandrelli also talked about the importance of representation in STEM fields, especially for women. She highlighted her experiences as one of the few women in her engineering classes and emphasized the significance of having a supportive community of peers. She encouraged women to pursue their dreams and not let challenges hinder their progress.
When asked about her decision to take the commercial astronaut path with Blue Origin, Calandrelli expressed her excitement about making space exploration more accessible to a diverse group of people. She acknowledged the support of her sponsors and partners, particularly Wing2Wing, in helping her secure her space mission. Calandrelli also shared her hopes that her journey to space would inspire young girls, children from West Virginia, and moms to pursue their passions and dreams.
As she prepares for her spaceflight, Calandrelli looks forward to the incredible view from space and the moment she can embrace her family upon her return. She also shared a fun fact about her love story with her husband, both aerospace engineers, who met during a NASA internship and had their first kiss while waiting for a space shuttle launch.
In conclusion, Emily Calandrelli’s upcoming space mission symbolizes a significant milestone in her career as a science communicator and advocate for STEM education. Her journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring astronauts, especially women and girls, to reach for the stars and pursue their dreams, no matter where life takes them.
