Toxic Online Harassment Overshadows Milestone Moment for 100th Woman in Space
In a disturbing reflection of persistent gender discrimination, Blue Origin has been compelled to remove footage of Emily Calandrelli’s historic space journey after a barrage of sexist and inappropriate online comments threatened to diminish her remarkable achievement.
A dream turned to tears
Emily Calandrelli, a 37-year-old engineer, commercial astronaut, and author known online as “thespacegal,” experienced a profound emotional journey that shifted dramatically from the euphoria of space exploration to the painful reality of online harassment.
Recruited by Jeff Bezos’s space exploration company, Calandrelli was part of the ninth human test flight on the New Shepherd spacecraft, marking a significant milestone as the 100th woman in space. However, her triumphant moment was quickly overshadowed by a wave of degrading comments.
The ugly face of online harassment
The digital assault was both personal and systemic. Commentators stooped to deeply inappropriate levels, with some posting sexually suggestive remarks as Calandrelli floated in zero gravity. “Would you consider yourself the hottest woman to ever go to space? Any other contenders?” read one particularly offensive comment.
A painful aftermath
“This all happened as I was flying home after experiencing the most perfect, wonderful dream-achieving experience of my life,” Calandrelli shared on her Instagram account, which boasts 881,000 followers. “And instead of being on cloud nine, I’m crying in my seat staring out the window.”
Defiance in the face of discrimination
Despite the emotional toll, Calandrelli refused to be silenced. “I refuse to give much time to the small men on the internet,” she declared. Her powerful statement continued: “I will not apologize or feel weird about my reaction. It’s wholly mine, and I love it.”
A broader context of gender barriers
The incident highlights ongoing challenges in space exploration. It took NASA 20 years to schedule its first all-women spacewalk, and even that was postponed due to spacesuit sizing issues—a stark reminder of the systemic obstacles women face in scientific fields.
Community support rises
Her “space sisters” and supporters rallied around her. One supporter affirmed, “I would have had the exact reaction! I guarantee you inspired more people, especially women out there than you can imagine.”
The larger conversation
This incident exposes the continued struggle against gender discrimination, even in fields as progressive as space exploration. It underscores the need for continued dialogue and action to create inclusive environments that celebrate achievement regardless of gender.
Calandrelli’s response – dignified, powerful, and unapologetic—serves as a beacon for women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, demonstrating resilience in the face of systemic harassment.
As the space industry continues to evolve, moments like these remind us that the journey to equality is far from over, but pioneers like Emily Calandrelli continue to push boundaries, both in space and on Earth.
