Emily Calandrelli, a trailblazing American engineer and the 100th woman to travel to space, faced a wave of online harassment that forced Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, to delete a celebratory video of her historic achievement. Despite the backlash, Calandrelli delivered a powerful message to her critics, emphasizing her refusal to let negativity overshadow her milestone.
A Historic Milestone Marred by Negativity
Calandrelli, a graduate of MIT and accomplished space advocate, was one of six passengers aboard Blue Origin’s ninth human test flight of the New Shepard spacecraft. Her journey marked a significant achievement, adding her name to the list of only 100 women who have ventured into space.
Blue Origin initially shared footage of Calandrelli marveling at the view of Earth from space. In the video, she compared the awe-inspiring moment to the joy of motherhood, saying, “I didn’t expect to see so much space, and I kept saying, ‘That’s our planet! That’s our planet!’ It was the same feeling I got when my kids were born, and I thought, ‘That’s my baby!’”
However, alongside the many congratulatory comments, a flood of misogynistic and inappropriate remarks quickly emerged, forcing the company to remove the post.
Emotional Toll and Support from Fellow Women
The backlash deeply affected Calandrelli. She admitted that during her flight home, she found herself overwhelmed, texting her “space sisters” and crying in her seat. A kind stewardess recognized her and offered some comforting words: “Don’t let them dull your shine.”
Despite the emotional toll, Calandrelli remained defiant. She addressed the situation directly, stating, “I refuse to give much time to the small men on the internet. I feel experiences in my soul. It’s a trait I got from my father. We feel every emotion deeply, and what a beautiful way that is to experience life. This joy is tattooed on my heart.”
Outpouring of Support
While the trolls attempted to dampen the celebration, the response from supporters was overwhelming. Many praised Calandrelli’s heartfelt reflection and resilience.
One person commented, “So incredible. I love the perspective of a mom up there looking with such pride and love at our planet. Beautiful.”
Another wrote, “Her talking about this moment had me in tears. Now seeing it with this photo, I’m sobbing.”
A third supporter expressed outrage over the harassment: “Emily, I am so sorry to see your post regarding your video of your reaction having to be taken down because of the stupid men commenting. I guarantee you inspired more people, especially women, than you can imagine.”
Others simply called her an inspiration, commending her for being a role model for future generations of women.
A Lasting Impact
Despite the negativity, Emily Calandrelli’s journey and her response to online harassment have highlighted the power of perseverance and the importance of representation in science and space exploration. Her message to embrace emotions and celebrate achievements, regardless of criticism, serves as an empowering reminder to others to stand tall in the face of adversity.