YOUNG NON-ASTRONAUT KELLIE GERARDI ON HER MISSION TO SPACE
Kellie Gerardi is a bioastronautics researcher and TikTok influencer who will make her first spaceflight with Virgin Galactic
Virgin Galactic has announced that 32-year-old citizen scientist Kellie Gerardi will fly to space and conduct experiments. Gerardi started her career as a media specialist and took interest in space travel when she met the Explorer’s Club president Richard Garriott who spent 12 days in space and realized the commercial spaceflight industry has opened the door for space travel for a wider range of people. Gerardi joined the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences (IIAS) and studied bioastronautics in her free time and was part of a private citizen training program for spaceflight and space research. Her spaceflight with Virgin Galactic and the training are funded by IIAS. She belongs to the younger generation and with nearly half a million TikTok followers she uses social media to influence young girls to engage in the STEM field. As a non-astronaut, her mission to space will have an impact on the younger generation and improve confidence in pursuing a career in the STEM area.
