On November 22, 2024, Emily Calandrelli made history by becoming the 100th woman to travel to space as part of Blue Origin's NS-28 mission. The flight, which launched from the company's facility in West Texas, featured six civilian passengers, including entrepreneurs and engineers, and reached its peak at 106 kilometers above Earth, crossing what is recognized as the Kármán line—the boundary of space. This monumental event not only highlights breakthroughs in private aerospace industry but also marked the significant achievement for women's representation in the field of space exploration.
Calandrelli, known affectionately as "The Space Gal," shared her emotional ride through captivating posts on social media. Shortly after the launch, she expressed her awe at the breathtaking view of Earth from the spacecraft's enormous windows, repeatedly exclaiming, "That's our planet!" This pivotal moment captured on camera, showcased her overwhelming joy as she remarked on the vastness of space and her emotional response, which she later likened to the feeling experienced during the births of her children. "It was the same feeling I got when my kids were born, where I'm like, seeing it for the first time,” she said, conveying the depth of the experience.
The mission lasted about ten minutes, giving the crew approximately four minutes of weightlessness. The rocket reached launch speeds nearly three times the speed of sound—a thrilling experience captured both live and through subsequent edited videos shared by Blue Origin. Unfortunately, moments of euphoric celebration were momentarily overshadowed by internet trolls who harshly criticized her exuberant reaction. Calandrelli, undeterred, took to social media to reject the negativity, declaring, "I refuse to give much time to the small men on the internet. I feel experiences in my soul. I will not apologize or feel weird about my reaction. It’s wholly mine and I love it."
This flight was part of Blue Origin's ninth human spaceflight and the response to her mission speaks volumes about her influence as not just an astronaut, but also as a fierce advocate for women and girls pursuing careers in STEM. Prior to her flight, Calandrelli engaged her audience through Instagram, sharing emotional farewells to her children and exciting sneak peeks from the launch pad. After landing, she continued to celebrate and spread messages of inspiration for young girls interested in science and engineering.
With Calandrelli on board were five other crew members, including husband and wife pair Marc and Sharon Hagle who had flown previously with Blue Origin, and Austin Litteral, J.D. Russell, and Hank Wolfond, who brought diverse backgrounds to the mission. These participants not only sought personal adventure, but they presented various narratives of human experience intertwined with professional accomplishments. For Calandrelli, this adventure is more than just travel; it's part of her lifelong mission to inspire the next generation.
Reflecting on the significance of her historical flight, Calandrelli highlighted the importance of representation. She carried with her to space photographs of the 99 women who preceded her. This thoughtful gesture encapsulated the shared history and resilience of women who have broken barriers and followed their dreams. Her onboard experience was enhanced by the mission's design, which not only provided spectacular views but also focused on maximizing passenger comfort through uniquely engineered features.
Landing back on Earth involved Blue Origin's reusable "RSS First Step" spacecraft, which safely returned the crew to solid ground after what many described as exhilarating. The event had vast ramifications, as it integrated women more firmly within the narrative of space exploration and inspired social discussions about gender representation.
Of course, the launch also occurred amid broader exploration ambitions being fulfilled by other companies like SpaceX. For Blue Origin, each mission reinforces their commitment to making space accessible for civilians, previously defined by astronaut requirements often limited to highly trained professionals. Calandrelli's excursion is just one of many steps forward, serving to legitimize civilian ventures and deepen public interest.
The NS-28 mission is proof of humanity's constant efforts to push boundaries, but it also raises questions about ethics and societal responsibilities. Calandrelli's return was met with applause and admiration from fellow astronauts, as well as her social media followers who were inspired by her declarations of success and the pursuit of visibility for women of science.
The aspect of space tourism continues to grow as more civilian spaceflights are scheduled by Blue Origin and others aiming to transform space travel from fantasy to reality. Given the unprecedented rise of Rockets, spacecrafts, and trained civilians, the possibilities of future explorations are endless. It's about not only traveling far, but also how those journeys can change one’s perspective about home.
With Calandrelli leading the charge, there’s hope for more women to join her on the rocket, but also the expectation to build communities and networks of their own both on Earth and beyond. The joy experienced by Calandrelli exemplifies the possibilities space has to offer - the merging of curiosity, adventure, and innovation fueled by imagination and hard work. Using her platform, she hopes to inspire others not only to gaze at the stars but to join the ranks of those who are actively shaping the future.
Indeed, her flight was more than just personal; it was historic, and she plans to share every ounce of passion and experience with future generations. Remarks about including younger audiences have become central to her mission both as "The Space Gal" and as part of the visible change she advocates for. By highlighting her experiences, ambitions, and the eventual results she hopes to see, Calandrelli has positioned herself as not just another face of the industry, but as its future as it expands.
