History was made when Emily Calandrelli became the 100th woman to go to space, but her monumental achievement was overshadowed by a wave of online harassment. After joining Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin for the space tourism flight on November 22, 2024, Calandrelli quickly found herself not just celebrated, but also targeted by online trolls who sexualized her emotional reaction to the experience.
"Oh my God, this is space!" she exclaimed during the live stream as the spacecraft crossed the Kármán line—the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space—offering her the breathtaking sight of the planet below. But this joyful moment soon turned dark as many deemed it appropriate to make lewd comments about her response.
Despite this backlash, Calandrelli received thousands of supportive messages celebrating her as an inspiration, especially for women and young girls. These supporters hailed her as a heroine, showing excitement over her breaking barriers, inspiring many who had followed her work. Acknowledging those who lifted her up, Calandrelli remarked, "I feel experiences deep within my soul, and I refuse to give much time to the small men on the internet who tried to bring me down."
Throughout her career as a TV science program host, aerospace engineer, and bestselling author, Calandrelli has always maintained her passion for communicating science and encouraging the next generation. During her spaceflight, she carried with her notes from her children, which contributed to the emotional impact of the experience, linking her role as both a pioneer and mother.
While she expressed awe at the vastness of space, turning upside down to glimpse Earth and marveling at its beauty, she also reflected on the personal costs of her public achievements when faced with harassment and misogyny. "Instead of being on cloud nine, I’m crying in my seat staring out the window. Because, of course, this happened. But I refuse to let their negativity dull my shine," she said, highlighting the pain of being subjected to cruel and demeaning comments.
Returning home, Calandrelli was met by the warmth of kindness from her fellow travelers. A flight attendant recognized her, offering sage advice to not let trolls dim her achievements. "Don’t let them dull your shine," she whispered, encapsulating the support of women everywhere who rallied around Calandrelli's plight.
Teaming up with Blue Origin, whose mission was to open up space travel to tourists, Calandrelli's flight was part of their ninth human spaceflight venture, representing not only her personal achievement but also progress for women and representation within the industry. Prior to her flight, she had often spoken about her desire to inspire young girls to pursue careers in science and technology—a passion born from her experiences at the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
While many celebrated her for fulfilling her lifelong dream—"the only thing I can compare it to was holding my babies for the first time—it's like knowing someone for a long time, then seeing them with your own eyes for the first time"—the unwelcomed distraction of harassment served as both frustration and motivation. Calandrelli took to social media, asserting her right to express joy and excitement without facing judgment, stating firmly, "I will not apologize, or feel weird about my reaction. It’s wholly mine and I love it."
Social media has often been the breeding ground for toxic behavior, particularly toward women breaking boundaries. Calandrelli acknowledged this reality, sharing, "I spent the flight texting my space sisters for advice. To share anger and sadness and to receive validation. I had to take a moment to 'feminism' myself.”
Her determination not to shrink beneath the weight of public scrutiny embodies the emotional labor women must navigate when accomplishing the extraordinary, facing both the potential of celebration and the threat of belittlement. It’s this complexity of being both celebrated and trolled, admired but also marginalized, which adds weight to her win.
Calandrelli's experience holds significance beyond the individual; it amplifies the discourse surrounding women's presence and representation in fields long dominated by men. Her courage to address the negativity she faced is not just about her story, but also about paving the way for future women who aspire to explore both space and the wider world of science.
Reflecting on her position among pioneers like Valentina Tereshkova and Sally K. Ride, Calandrelli has asserted herself as part of this legacy, breathing life back to her community. By sharing her response; both the joy and the pain; she puts her experience squarely within the broader framework of women’s challenges and triumphs. Her decision to not allow the negativity affect her defines her mission, highlighting her as not just another astronaut but as someone carrying aspirations for many who will follow.
Now, as she steps up to respond to this trolling with dignity, Calandrelli is championing more than her own story. With her flight, she aims to show the world what women can accomplish when they dare to dream and lift others along the way, turning hate back to hope with every note carried on her historic flight to space.
