On November 22, Emily Calandrelli made headlines around the world as she became the 100th woman to venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Invited by Jeff Bezos' aerospace company, Blue Origin, Calandrelli’s flight aboard the New Shepard marked not just her personal triumph but also a significant milestone for women in space. The moment filled with wonder and exhilaration was, unfortunately, soon shadowed by unexpected online backlash.
Once the rocket launched, it took less than ten minutes for Calandrelli, alongside five other space tourists, to complete their short but thrilling excursion past the Kármán line—a recognized boundary between the atmosphere and outer space. During the brief weightlessness, she was visibly moved, gazing out the window at the stunning view of Earth and feeling emotions comparable to those she had experienced when her children were born.
"There was so much blackness. There was so much space... That’s our planet! That’s our planet!" she exclaimed, her voice bursting with awe and joy. This was not just another flying trip; for Calandrelli, it was the realization of decades of dreams.
But happiness quickly turned sour as the internet reacted. Blue Origin initially shared Calandrelli’s heartfelt response on social media, but it became overwhelmed with crude and inappropriate comments. Many online trolls took to sexualizing her awe and belittling her historic accomplishment solely because she was female, demonstrating the persistent misogyny women face, even within scientific realms.
Faced with the barrage of sexist comments, Blue Origin removed the original post with her video, which amplified the conversation around harassment targeting women, especially those reaching impressive milestones against challenges such as gender bias.
Instead of letting these negative experiences define her, Calandrelli turned to her rich online community for support. Using her Instagram account, she candidly shared her feelings about the mixed emotions she faced after her landmark achievement. "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 wrote, refusing to apologize for her emotional reaction. "I will not apologize or feel weird about my reaction. It’s wholly mine, and I love it."
Calandrelli's honesty struck chords with many. She garnered support from fellow astronauts and women in the space community, who rallied to bolster her against the detractors. One supportive message from another member of the space community reassured her: "You inspired more people, especially women, than you can ever know."
This brotherhood extends beyond just their shared experiences; it highlights the underrepresentation of women within the space industry. Conversations about the importance of female representation were reignited, especially since it took NASA until 2019 to organize the first all-female spacewalk.
Emily believes sending more women to space allows for unique perspectives. “The beauty of sending more women to space is they can describe it to others, especially those who have never considered space, like mothers, who will get the excitement through their lenses," she had once explained.
Despite the challenges, Calandrelli focused on her dream's significance. "This joy is tattooed on my heart," she said, underscoring her desire to inspire others. Her story resonates with many aspiring women, presenting them with the belief they can chase and achieve their dreams regardless of the challenges.
Calandrelli’s flight shines as both personal achievement and public statement of resilience. Facing unwarranted backlash head-on, she embodies the courage and determination many women instinctively possess yet often find stifled by societal expectations. By standing her ground and openly expressing her deeply buried emotions, Calandrelli is forging the way for future generations of women. She emphasizes not just breaking barriers, but also reshaping narratives surrounding women's accomplishments.
Returning to social media on November 25, she shared yet another video of the deep emotions she felt during the flight, paired with the sobering reality of internet trolls. "This is our planet... Oh my God, that's space," she recalled, comparing the transformative experience to the ecstasy of motherhood. While her emotional vulnerability rendered her susceptible to internet trolls, she consciously chose to rise above.
Her posting about this experience isn’t merely for personal therapy; it's strategic. By exposing the challenges she faced, Calandrelli sheds light on the broader issue of harassment within digital spaces, inspiring discussions aimed at nurturing safer online environments. With nearly 900,000 followers, her influence could spur awareness and perhaps change—not just for her but for many women facing similar trials.
Despite the crudeness of online reactions, Calandrelli's focus remains on the dream she has cherished for years. This experience, both liberatory and constraining, reinforces the continued fight against gender discrimination. She encapsulates this struggle—a woman who dared to dream of space exploration and succeeded, only to battle for the right to be open about her feelings during the process.
Finally, as she exited the plane after landing, Calandrelli was met by warmth from others, including the Southwest stewardess, who whispered encouragements reminding her not to let negativity overshadow her light. "Don’t let them dull your shine," became not just words but instead manifested support—a reminder of the camaraderie between women and the shared strength of their experiences.