Subsequently, Calandrelli attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) where she obtained an M.S. degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics as well an M.S. degree in Technology and Policy in 2013. In 2011, Calandrelli was awarded the René Miller Prize in Systems Engineering.[8] As a Harvard NASA Tournament Lab visiting scholar, she assisted organizations in using crowdsourcing to solve technical challenges.[2]
Career
Calandrelli in reduced-gravity flight in 2010
As a college student, Calandrelli worked at NASA as an intern. Her work at NASA included designing the simulation for the Phoenix Mars Lander's soil testing experiment, research on the use of lasers to reduce harmful emissions from jet engines, and developing chemical detection sensors.[9]
Calandrelli started a career in science communication[11] when she became a host of Xploration Outer Space in Fox's Xploration Station educational block in 2014.[2] In April 2017, she made several appearances on Netflix episodes of Bill Nye Saves the World.[12][13] On August 25, 2020, Calandrelli's educational Netflix series titled Emily's Wonder Lab debuted.[14][15][16] Calandrelli filmed the series while 9 months pregnant.[17]
Calandrelli is known as "The Space Gal" online.[18] She has given presentations at Google, Pixar, MIT, Texas Instruments, and K-12 schools and universities across the United States.[19] She was invited by the White House to perform educational science experiments at the Easter Egg Roll in 2023 and 2024.[20][21]
She has written the Ada Lace series of chapter books to introduce youth to science and technology[22] and the picture book Reach for the Stars (2022), illustrated by Honee Jang.[23][24] She also authored two books of science experiments designed for children.[25][26]
In July 2024, Calandrelli announced that she will be a passenger on a New Shepard flight to space.[28][18] On November 22, 2024, Calendrelli successfully launched into space as a member of Blue Origin's NS-28 mission, the company's ninth space tourism flight. She became the 100th woman in space, and the 10th woman to fly on a suborbital spaceflight above the Kármán line.[29][30][31]
Awards
In April 2017, Calandrelli was nominated for an Outstanding Host in a Lifestyle/Children's/Travel or Family Viewing Program[32]daytime Emmy Award for her work on Xploration Station.[33][34]
In November 2023, Calandrelli received an honorary doctorate from the engineering department of McMaster University.[35]
Advocacy
Calandrelli uses her social media platforms and public speaking engagements to advocate for scientific literacy, the benefits of space exploration, and STEM careers, particularly for girls and women in STEM.[19][18] She has advocated for parental leave in the aerospace industry.[36][37]
In 2022, Calendrelli shared her experience of being forced to check breastfeeding supplies at an airport security checkpoint, despite these supplies being permitted by TSA guidelines. She reached out to Rep. Katie Porter, who has introduced legislation to improve handling of breastmilk and breastfeeding supplies.[38][39]
Personal life
In January 2011, Calandrelli became a licensed amateur radio operator under the call sign KD8PKR.[40]
During her internship at NASA, she met another aerospace engineer, Tommy Franklin. They married and had two children.[41][42]
^"Already a Star, Calandrelli Tells Students to Aim High". www.nasa.gov. Emily Calandrelli : POC, Sonja Alexander : HQ:, Diedra Williams : MSFC;, Flint Wild : MSFC;, Larry Cooper : HQ;, Theresa Schwerin : IGES;, Stephanie Schierholz : HQ. Archived from the original on March 23, 2010. Retrieved 2017-10-09.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
