Emily Calandrelli becomes the 100th woman in space on Blue Origin’s historic NS-28 mission
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On November 22, 2024, Emily Calandrelli, a prominent advocate for STEM education and aerospace engineer, achieved a milestone by becoming the 100th woman to journey into space.
Her historic suborbital flight was part of Blue Origin’s NS-28 mission, which launched and landed safely at the company’s West Texas facility.
The New Shepard rocket carried six civilian passengers on a ten-minute mission that reached an altitude of 106 kilometers, crossing the Kármán line - the internationally recognized boundary of space. The flight provided approximately four minutes of weightlessness and marked Blue Origin’s ninth human spaceflight.
Joining Calandrelli were Marc and Sharon Hagle, who were on their second mission with Blue Origin; Austin Litteral, sponsored by the livestream shopping platform Whatnot; J.D. Russell, an entrepreneur and former game warden; and Hank Wolfond, a Canadian investment firm CEO.
Known as “The Space Gal,” Calandrelli has dedicated her career to inspiring young women to pursue STEM fields. Her journey into space represents the culmination of her studies in aerospace engineering and her commitment to fostering representation in science and technology.
To honor the women who came before her, Calandrelli carried a photo montage of the 99 women who had previously ventured into space. She described the experience as deeply emotional, comparing the awe-inspiring view of Earth from space to the moment she first held her children.
The mission’s logo, featuring a figure in pink overalls, highlighted Calandrelli’s achievement and symbolized her role as a STEM trailblazer.
Blue Origin’s reusable “RSS First Step” spacecraft successfully completed the mission, with the rocket’s booster executing a vertical landing. This flight underscored the company’s efforts to make space more accessible to civilians.
Calandrelli’s journey places her among the 714 individuals who have reached space, according to the Association of Space Explorers. Her seat on the mission was sponsored by various organizations, allowing her to use this opportunity to champion STEM education.