First female astronaut from West Virginia shares dream with the Mountain State

BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) – One Mountaineer will soon be able to see the Mountain State from way up high, as she gets ready to become the first female astronaut from West Virginia.

Emily Calandrelli is the face of the hit Netflix series ‘Emily’s Wonder Lab’. Calandrelli isn’t just a star on the screen, she’s also a star in the science world.

Calandrelli made the announcement on her X account that she will be flying with Blue Origin. This will make the Morgantown native one of the first 100 women in space. She says this accomplishment was a longtime dream. Now, that dream is right within her grasp.

“It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time. For years, I have been having conversations with a number of different people and partners to see how I might be able to make this work. Eventually after years of work, everything just fell into place,” said Calandrelli.

The Netflix star said going into space is not just a big step for the women in West Virginia, but for the youth as a whole.

Calandrelli said she has a big following from her home state and is overwhelmed by the positivity and support from her fans.

She said only about 13 percent of the humans in space are women – and she’s honored to be that extra 1 percent after takeoff.

“Families have sent me videos of telling, especially their daughters, telling them I’m going to space. The excitement on these 5- and 6-year-olds faces when they are told that this woman they watch is going to space. I mean, it’s the reason I want to go to space. Kids like that can see me achieving my dream and hopefully achieve their own dreams themselves,” said Calandrelli.

The trip is being partially funded by the Wing 2 Wing Foundation, which is a nonprofit created by Marshall University President Brad D. Smith and Alys Smith.

Fans can catch updates on Calandrelli’s adventure on her socials!

She says plans are still in the works, but she can’t wait to share her dreams with the people of West Virginia.

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