Blue Origin pulls video of female astronaut over sexist comments
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Spaceflight company Blue Origin was forced to take down a clip of a female astronaut, whose candid reaction to being in space was attacked by hateful trolls.
Emily Calandrelli, 37, was seen in the clip floating upside down in zero gravity, absolutely rapt and unabashed as she gazed at Earth from a ship’s window.
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“That’s our planet,” she said in fascination. “Oh my God, this is space.”
But her genuine, emotional reaction was attacked by commenters who posted awful comments about the astronaut and her appearance.
“It’s not an achievement being a woman,” one X user said.
Another asked, “Would you consider yourself the hottest woman to ever go to space? Any other contenders?”
A third commenter complained: “Why she moaning I cannot unhear it.”
Blue Origin yanked the original video and replaced it with an edited one, but Calandrelli — an MIT aerospace engineer and TV host known as “Space Girl” — shared it on her own social media to clap back at those trying to ruin the moment, even though she did admit she was in tears flying home after the mission.
“This all happened as I was flying home after experiencing the most perfect, wonderful dream-achieving experience of my life,” she wrote.
“And instead of being on cloud nine, I’m crying in my seat staring out the window. Because of course this happened. Of course I should have expected this.”
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The Emmy nominee continued: “I had to take a moment to feminism myself if I’m being quite honest. But 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.
She added: “I will not apologize or feel weird about my reaction. It’s wholly mine and I love it.”
In Calandrelli’s repost of the original video, she noted, “Seeing our planet for the first time, a dream decades in the making. You’re seeing so many emotions intertwined. Excitement, awe, and pride — but to be honest a little fear and confusion too.”
This time, the comments were wholly supportive, with many lauding Calandrelli as a hero and inspiration.
“I see your joy! Well earned, so exciting and so inspirational for women and girls everywhere,” one person praised.
Another added: “I love this with my whole heart… I saw this video when it first went up and I cannot personally think of having any other reaction besides this. We are in awe of your awe. And we love you for sharing it.”
The New Shepard capsule, RSS First Step, returned to Earth about 10 minutes after takeoff and two-and-a-half minutes after the booster had landed, Space News reported.
According to Blue Origin, the capsule reached a peak altitude of 66 kilometres above sea level.
Calandrelli and five others were part of the ninth human test flight of Blue Origin’s New Shepherd spacecraft that launched on Friday, all of whom paid for their seat on the rocket.
Her part in the mission was historic as she was the 100th woman to fly into space.
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