In 1961, while the world celebrated the first men in space, few knew that West Virginia’s Katherine Johnson performed the meticulous calculations charting their path to the stars. Despite her groundbreaking work, Johnson’s contributions were largely overshadowed by the astronauts’ success. But with the help of Hidden Figures, a successful book and film adaptation, millions have learned how a West Virginian woman launched humans to the stars.
Today, trailblazing science communicator Emily Calandrelli, better known as “The Space Gal,” is set to become the first woman from West Virginia to journey into space. This milestone is no accident — it’s the result of years of relentless drive and passion for bringing science to the masses.
“When I finally made the pieces come together and it looked like it was going to happen, I immediately left my house and went on a run, because my brain was going wild,” she said. “There was nobody around me to scream to, so I just remember just sprinting down the street being like, ‘I think it’s happening. I think it’s happening. I think it’s happening.’”
In July, Emily announced she will launch into suborbital space as a citizen astronaut ambassador with Blue Origin on its New Shepard passenger flight, a milestone that seems almost predestined for someone who has spent her career making space exploration and science accessible to youth across the globe.
“I’m likely to be one of the first 100 women in space…and I’m honored to be part of that inflection point where we are going to be seeing more people that look like the people down here on Earth up in space.”
Leading up to the journey, Emily will partner with Marshall University president and first lady Brad and Elise Smith to promote the “Marshall for All, Marshall Forever” campaign, a partnership born from a shared commitment to uplifting West Virginians through education. She is also channeling her passion for education into supporting West Virginia teachers by organizing fundraising efforts to clear their classroom supply lists.
Throughout the journey, Emily will also be spotlighting local communities and businesses across the Mountain State. She’s donating to the Children’s Home Society of West Virginia, collaborating with Morgantown’s Pop the Soda Shop to create a custom drink and working with Blenko Glass to showcase their craftsmanship.
“There’s a lot of really cool aerospace connections in West Virginia. It feels really meaningful to be part of the West Virginia trajectory of pushing farther, going higher. I feel like it’s West Virginians lifting up other West Virginians to be able to create this impact in this story,” Emily said.
From Engineering Student to Space TV Sensation
For years, Emily has made her mark in science education and entertainment. Watching her videos, one might assume her passion for space and science was a lifelong pursuit. However, unlike many of her MIT colleagues who grew up attending rocket launches and space camps, Emily didn’t see herself as a “science person” until college.
Inspired by her father, who lifted their family out of poverty, Emily initially pursued engineering to secure financial stability.
It was at West Virginia University (WVU), just down the road from where she was raised in Morgantown, WV, where she discovered her love for space exploration, drawn to the bold, imaginative dreams reminiscent of fairy tales. “There’s a big overlap between Disney people and space people,” she remarked.
While at WVU, she became a Truman Scholar and worked for U.S. representative Alan Mollohan. In 2009, she was named to the USA Today all-academic team, won the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and was voted Ms. Mountaineer. It’s clear that Emily was someone special, to say the least.
Emily’s passion for science communication also emerged during her college years, where she enjoyed translating complex scientific ideas into engaging stories for younger audiences. “Most NASA projects in college have an outreach component,” she said. “I always volunteered to talk about them because I found it so fun and rewarding.”
This passion grew, leading to an unexpected career as a television host. She went on to get her Master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). While at MIT, Emily received a call from a production company asking if she wanted to host a new space TV show. They found her through the publicity WVU had generated around her achievements.
Her show, Xploration Outer Space, became a massive success and is currently in talks for a ninth season. But her reach didn’t stop there. In 2017, Emily joined Netflix’s Bill Nye Saves the World as a science correspondent.
During her interview, she bonded with Bill over a discussion about West Virginia’s complex relationship with coal and climate change. “I explained how the coal industry has deeply influenced the state’s education system, shaping perceptions of climate change. Bill was excited to hear that perspective because it’s not just about teaching science,” she said.
Emily’s journey in the science entertainment industry wasn’t without its challenges. Initially, she faced difficulties pitching science shows for adults, especially as a solo female host. However, she found her stride in children’s programming, debuting her own Netflix show, Emily’s Wonder Lab, in 2020 — filming while nine months pregnant.
“I don’t know if I will ever strike gold like I did with Emily’s Wonder Lab. It had the trifecta of acceptance: parents loved it, kids binged it over and over and scientists recognized that we were teaching failure, the scientific method and critical thinking the right way. I was so proud of that show and the impact it had, inspiring kids to say, ‘I want to be a scientist,’ as if it were no big thing.”
In 2017, Emily published her first children’s science book, launching the Ada Lace series. The series follows an 8-year-old girl who uses her curiosity and love of technology to solve mysteries. The series has been praised for its engaging storytelling and seamless integration of scientific concepts, making learning fun and accessible for young readers.
As social media has evolved, so has Emily’s career. With over one million followers, she uses her platform to make science education accessible to the masses. “I like to think of myself as a science bestie online, someone you’re not embarrassed to ask questions to.”
Emily’s social media activism has created tangible results. Her campaign to improve parental leave policies in the aerospace industry led to significant policy enhancements within six months. She’s also supported legislative efforts, such as working with lawmakers to pass a TSA bill that addresses challenges faced by traveling mothers with breast milk and pump equipment.
“A chorus of three million people demanding change gets things moving pretty quickly,” she noted.
Inspiring the Next Generation of STEM
Emily’s experiences reveal both the challenges and triumphs of being a woman in STEM. Her first real encounter with the gender gap in science was being one of two women in her 50-person college engineering class, an issue she hadn’t recognized before.
While she avoided major setbacks, she faced gender-based microaggressions, such as a rival claiming Emily won the astronomy club presidency due to the outfit she was wearing. Gender bias persisted in her career, with scientists often addressing her male crew instead of her, despite her engineering background.
Emily believes improving the representation of women in STEM requires inspiring young girls and creating a supportive environment for those in the field. “We need to maintain a culture that celebrates women, not just tolerates them,” she said, emphasizing the need for stricter harassment protocols and policies that champion women in STEM fields.
For young girls aspiring to STEM careers, Emily advises building a supportive network early on. “The most valuable thing I’ve had throughout my career is a close-knit group of women who are going through the same thing,” she said. “Find your group and lean on them throughout your life.”
Bridging the Gap with STEM Literacy
While inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders is a key part of Emily’s mission, she’s also a strong advocate for STEM literacy among the general population.
“Understanding the community before designing an education strategy is crucial,” she said. “West Virginia is one of those places where you’ll misunderstand the community unless you grew up there.”
Growing up in West Virginia, Emily saw how the state’s natural beauty and close-knit communities coexisted with economic struggles and environmental challenges from its reliance on coal. She learned how scientific narratives could be shaped by the state’s history.
“Most people deny climate change not because they disagree with the science, but because they see environmentalism as a threat to their livelihoods.” By highlighting how sustainable practices can support local economies, she aims to bridge the gap between environmental goals and community needs.
With few Congressional representatives having a STEM background, Emily stressed the importance of scientific literacy for both the electorate and elected officials. “STEM literacy is about critical thinking. It’s a shield to protect yourself, your community and your country against bad actors.”
For those looking to improve their science understanding, Emily suggests following experts in different fields. “You don’t need a science background to understand them — just an interest in the topic and a desire to learn from credible sources.”
A Future of Lifting Others Up
While a space flight might seem like the pinnacle for someone like Emily, she sees even greater opportunities ahead to create meaningful change.
“One of the biggest pieces of life advice I want to instill in my kids is to use your power and privilege to create change wherever you can find it. The bigger my engine gets from these unique opportunities, like the space flight, the better position I’ll be in to help,” she said.
Emily also plans to write her first book for adults, inspired by the gratitude expressed by mothers at her book signings.
“The thing that sticks with me is the moms that I meet. They come up and whisper their thanks for what I’ve done for women, often referencing reproductive rights or parental leave.” Her goal with the new book is to amplify these voices and empower women to speak out more boldly.
Emily reflects on her journey of a profound evolution in her approach to failure and success, from setting up children’s science experiments to preparing for a space launch: “I’ve gotten very good at failure and not taking it personally and learning what I can learn from it.”
EDIT: Emily Calandrelli’s space journey took place on November 22, 2024 making her the first woman from WV and 100th woman ever to go to space. To see behind the scenes of her journey to the stars, check out Emily online: @thespacegal
Photos courtesy of Morgan Demeter
