Overview Ambassador Emily Calandrelli Becomes 100th Woman to go, “
Image Courtesy of Blue Origin
Overview Ambassador, Emily Calandrelli successfully Launches on Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket, Becoming 100th Woman in Space!
On Friday, November 22nd, 2024, the Space for Humanity (S4H) community came together to celebrate Blue Origin and the entire NS28 crew for a successful and safe flight, including our very own Overview Ambassador, Emily Calandrelli, a renowned science communicator, engineer, author, and television presenter.
Image Courtesy of Blue Origin
A Champion for Science and Education
Emily Calandrelli's journey to space is a testament to her dedication and passion for making science accessible to all. Space for Humanity's Executive Director, Antonio Peronace, shared his admiration for Emily, stating, "Emily Calandrelli is a talented and impactful science communicator who works tirelessly to deconstruct science and make it accessible to the masses. As an organization dedicated to making space accessible to all, Space for Humanity highly respects and values the work Emily does every day to inspire and encourage young people to dream of a career in STEM and a future in space."
Emily's Remarkable Journey
A native of West Virginia, Emily's impressive academic background includes two bachelor's degrees from West Virginia University and two master's degrees from MIT. Her career has been marked by impactful science communication, from in-person lectures to television shows and streaming content on Netflix. Emily's published works and popular science books have further solidified her role as a leading voice in STEM education.
Before her historic flight, Emily expressed her excitement, saying, "I'm incredibly excited to fly to space and become the 100th woman to see our planet from the stars. A bookend to a historic milestone. Let's light this candle!"
Supporting Foster Care Through Emily's GoFundMe Campaign
In addition to her space journey, Emily launched a successful GoFundMe campaign titled "Starbound Dreams for Foster Futures." The campaign aimed to support children in foster care in West Virginia by raising funds for the Children's Home Society of West Virginia. Emily's goal was to fill a flash drive with the dreams of children and families, which she would take to space. The campaign exceeded its initial goal, raising over $32,000 to help children in need.
New Heights for Space for Humanity
Antonio Peronace highlighted the significance of Emily's journey, stating, "Emily's flight will take both her and her reach to new heights. Space for Humanity looks forward to counting Emily as an official Overview Ambassador upon her return. We cannot wait to have her back on Earth and see how she intensifies her work as a flown astronaut."
Image Courtesy of Blue Origin
The role of S4H Overview Ambassadors is to share their experiences of the Overview Effect, a cognitive shift that occurs when viewing Earth from space. These ambassadors help to promote the S4H mission of making space accessible to all and inspiring future generations.
Warm Wishes to the Entire NS28 Crew
We also extend our warmest wishes to our friends Sharon and Marc Hagle, who joined Emily as part of Blue Origin's NS28 crew. Their return to space is a testament to the spirit of exploration and the boundless possibilities that lie ahead.
Image Courtesy of Blue Origin
About Space for Humanity
Space for Humanity is a globally recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing access to space for all of the world's citizens. By changing humanity's perspective on our place in the cosmos, we aim to foster a sense of global unity. Our Citizen Astronaut Program sends thoughtfully selected, impact-driven individuals from all walks of life to space to experience the Overview Effect. Through specialized training, our Citizen Astronauts return to Earth as leaders and global ambassadors, inspiring a better, brighter tomorrow for all.
To learn more about Space for Humanity's work and support future missions, please visit: https://spaceforhumanity.org/donate.
FOLLOW US ON ALL SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS TO BECOME A PART OF THE JOURNEY, TO SPACE, FOR EARTH!