Emily Calandrelli made history as the 100th woman to fly to space, marking a significant milestone in the fight for gender equality in space exploration. As a key member of Blue Origin’s mission, she joined six other space tourists aboard the New Shepard rocket. This launch, a suborbital flight that reached just beyond the Kármán line, made Calandrelli a part of an exclusive group of women who have ventured into space.
However, despite the historic nature of her achievement, the response to her flight was marred by online trolls who belittled her accomplishment. Many of these comments were both crude and dismissive, some questioning the significance of her achievement simply because she is a woman.
Calandrelli, known for her positive and inspiring online presence as “The Space Gal,” swiftly responded to these comments. She expressed her disappointment over the negative backlash, especially since her experience was one of joy and personal achievement.
In a candid post on her Instagram, she shared how she had hoped for a smooth, joyous return after achieving what was once only a dream but found herself instead grappling with hateful comments from some online users. She found solace and validation in the support of her fellow female astronauts, but she also emphasized that she would not let “small men on the internet” deter her from celebrating this incredible achievement
Calandrelli’s powerful reaction to the criticism reflects a broader issue of gender bias and the difficulties women often face in male-dominated fields like space exploration. Nevertheless, she continues to be a beacon for young girls who dream of reaching the stars, demonstrating resilience and a refusal to let negativity define her journey.
