Latest news with #NS-28
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The 100th woman in space: Why did Emily Calandrelli go to space, and how her Blue Origin flight was life-changing
In a field dominated by male astronauts in bulky suits and passionless mission reports. 's rise to the edge of space is more than just a milestone. As the 100th female to venture into space, her is more than a technological achievement—it's a cultural watershed moment signaling a shift in what we define as space travel, who is included in it, and why it matters. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now With her space nickname, The Space Gal, Calandrelli is not what NASA would normally consider an astronaut—she did not spend months in training for a long orbital flight. But as a science communicator, engineer, and , she is at the very center of humanity's future in space. Her recent trip on Blue Origin's NS-28 rocket was not to collect data or fix satellites—it was for visibility, symbolism, and storytelling. And she had a persuasive one. She carried with her a flash drive containing some 10,000 dreams from her fans—students, young professionals, dreamers—those who, in her journey, saw reflected to them what they too might hope to become. In an era increasingly shaped by private space travel and commercially sponsored astronaut expeditions, her trip portrayed accessibility. Space is no longer the prerogative of privileged astronauts alone—it's being taken over as a canvas for citizen science, shared dreams, and social transformation. What also stands out is how Calandrelli's identity—a woman, mother, communicator, and public figure—broke through outdated stereotypes. Her critics tried to reduce her flight to a publicity stunt. But in responding to online backlash with grace and resolve, she highlighted an often-ignored aspect of modern exploration: representation is revolutionary. That's not about pitting her flight against orbital legends like Valentina Tereshkova or Sally Ride. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now It's about an understanding that the democratization of space travel means new narratives, representative icons, and new ways to inspire generations to come. Her flight reminded everyone that inspiration isn't measured by the amount of flight time—it's measured by who dares to dream because of you. As the space business expands, names such as Emily Calandrelli indicate that the space narrative is widening. It's not just a matter of where we're headed but of whom gets to go, why they go, and what they decide to bring along. Her performative gesture reminds us that representation is not merely valuable for visibility but also for legitimacy. For each girl who can imagine herself in a space helmet, for each budding scientist whose spirit is bolstered by her story, this flight matters. With an open, commercial space industry on the horizon, it's stories like these that will determine the next few decades, not just with rockets, but with applicability.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
The 100th woman in space: Emily Calandrelli talks about her Blue Origin flight and inspiring the next generation
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. For Emily Calandrelli, known to many as "The Space Gal," the dream of spaceflight began over 20 years ago. Last year, that dream became a reality. As the 100th woman to travel to space, Calandrelli isn't just celebrating personal achievement — she's using her journey to inspire others, uplift underrepresented communities and push the boundaries of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) accessibility. "Going to space had been something that I had hoped to do … ever since I started studying aerospace engineering," Calandrelli told Flying on Blue Origin's NS-28 suborbital flight "was everything I hoped it would be — and so much more." NS-28, which launched on Nov. 22, 2024, also served as a platform to spotlight issues close to Calandrelli's heart, particularly those affecting her home state of West Virginia. A flash drive she carried into space became a powerful symbol: a zero-gravity indicator filled with nearly 10,000 dreams submitted by followers across the country. With an optional donation for each submission, Calandrelli turned her flight into a fundraiser, carrying people's wishes to the stars while raising over $30,000 for West Virginia's foster care system. " I recognize that going into space is something that is an incredibly privileged thing to do," Calandrelli said, noting that fewer than 700 people have flown to the final frontier. "I always told myself that if I were to have that chance, I would try to use it to uplift others. In West Virginia, kids are entering the foster system at four times the rate of any other state — it's a system that is really pressed for resources, and so I thought, 'How can I help raise money for that?'" Calandrelli adopted the handle "@TheSpaceGal" on social media years before going to space. With her NS-28 flight, she noted, she finally lived up to her nickname. Even more rewarding was becoming the 100th woman in space, which is something she embraces with deep gratitude. "For me, that number was really meaningful. I had a personal goal of trying to be in the first 100 … but to actually be the 100th felt like a bookend to a milestone that was hard fought and hard won — particularly by the women who came before me when it wasn't as popular or accepted," she said. "I feel a lot of gratitude because it was certainly a lot easier for me to achieve this dream than the women who were much earlier in the count." Calandrelli points to commercial spaceflight as a key driver in increasing diversity within the industry, specifically the representation of women and minorities in space exploration. After all, she noted, about 65 of the first 100 women who have flown in space have done so within the last five years, as private spaceflight has really started to ramp up. "I'm hopeful that numbers 101 through 1,000 will come about 10 to 20 times faster," she said. But spaceflight is just one aspect of Calandrelli's broader mission: making science more accessible and exciting to young people and families, especially those without a STEM background. After her Netflix show "Emily's Wonder Lab" came to an end, she launched "Emily's Science Lab" on YouTube, where she continues to share experiments and educational content, making science feel fun and easy for families. "'Emily's Wonder Lab' was my most successful and visible project — it really helped launch my career in children's education. After that got canceled, I really had to take control of my career, because I didn't want to rely on Netflix to continue having the impact that that show was having," she said. "So … I created my own show. Launching that, taking care of that, fostering that community on YouTube has been my biggest pet project right now." With more than four million followers across social media platforms and projects in books, television and even a potential documentary about NS-28, Calandrelli is uniquely positioned to inspire the next generation of scientists. "My goal is to be your scientific BFF. I'm trying to build the tools necessary for families to easily instill science confidence in their kids," Calandrelli said. "I grew up in a family that wasn't in STEM, so I know how intimidating it can be." With the world becoming more scientifically and technologically advanced, Calandrelli believes building "science confidence" in kids is one of the most valuable gifts parents can give. Her advice for parents and educators is to start with relatable role models and simple, hands-on experiments. Related stories: — Blue Origin crew, including history's 100th woman to fly to space, lands safely (video) — 100th woman in space, Emily Calandrelli, stands up to 'small men' on the internet: 'I should have expected this.' — Pioneering women in space: A gallery of astronaut firsts "I always recommend at-home science experiments … with accessible materials like Arm & Hammer baking soda, vinegar and food coloring — stuff you probably already have in your kitchen," she said. "It's a tangible, tactile way for kids to feel like they are a scientist, [and] it helps them see themselves in these roles and careers as they get older." It's also important to approach science from all angles, Calandrelli. Kids learn in different ways, she explained, so a combination of educational videos, books and hands-on experiments can help parents identify what resonates best with their child and use that to make them feel confident in STEM. With her distinct blend of scientific expertise, educational passion, and now, astronaut experience, Calandrelli continues to redefine what it means to be a space explorer — not just someone who leaves Earth, but someone who brings others along for the journey.
Express Tribune
01-03-2025
- Science
- Express Tribune
Katy Perry & Gayle King Set to Make History on All-Female Space Mission with Blue Origin
Space travel is getting a little more star-studded—literally. Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company founded by Jeff Bezos, has announced that its next crewed mission aboard the New Shepard rocket will feature an all-female crew. Among them? None other than pop sensation Katy Perry and journalist Gayle King. The mission, expected to launch sometime this spring, will also include Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and entrepreneur; Kerianne Flynn, a film producer and philanthropist; and Lauren Sánchez, who played a major role in assembling the mission. Sánchez, a pilot and journalist, also happens to be Jeff Bezos' fiancée and the vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. According to Blue Origin, this historic mission will mark the first all-female spaceflight crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's solo journey in 1963. "She is honored to lead a team of explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives of Earth, empower them to share their own stories, and create lasting impact that will inspire generations to come," Blue Origin said in a statement about Sánchez's involvement. Breaking Barriers & Making History One of the most exciting aspects of this mission is that it's adding new names to the growing list of women who have made it to space. While NASA has selected 61 women as astronauts since its inception, the number of female space travelers has significantly increased with the rise of commercial space tourism. In November 2023, TV host and MIT engineer Emily Calandrelli, also known as 'Space Gal,' became the 100th woman to reach space on Blue Origin's NS-28 mission. Now, Amanda Nguyen will be making history as well. Nguyen, a fierce advocate for sexual violence survivors and a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee, is set to become the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman astronaut. What to Expect from Blue Origin's NS-31 Mission This upcoming flight, designated NS-31, will mark Blue Origin's 11th human spaceflight, sending its passengers past the Kármán line—the boundary 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth that is widely considered the beginning of outer space. However, this classification has been debated among scientists and space agencies. The company has not yet announced an official launch date, but the excitement is already sky-high. As space tourism continues to expand, more and more women are getting the chance to explore beyond our planet. While NASA made history in 2019 with its first all-female spacewalk—conducted by astronauts Christina Koch and Jessica Meir outside the International Space Station—this mission proves that female-led exploration is no longer an exception. With this all-female flight set to take off soon, one thing is certain: the future of space travel is looking stellar.
