JUPITER, Fla. — “My title is Kellie Gerardi, and I’m a payload specialist flying at the Galactic 5 analysis undertaking,” Gerardi instructed WPTV on Monday.In lower than two weeks’ time, the Jupiter local is headed to area on a science undertaking with Virgin Galactic.
Kellie Gerardi
Kellie Gerardi is a payload specialist who fly at the Virgin Galactic 5 analysis undertaking to area.
“I grew up in Jupiter, Florida, born and raised,” she mentioned. “I’ve particular coaching to perform medical tools in area. So I will be engaging in analysis associated with human well being care and fluid dynamics in area on behalf of my analysis institute, the Global Institute for Astronautical Sciences.”She mentioned it is a same-day science flight and the timeline to habits the science is brief.”We’ve got choreography kind of all the way down to the second one, and we actually attempt to maximize the science go back, so each and every unmarried 2nd counts,” Gerardi mentioned.She instructed WPTV she recollects dreaming of this second as a kid rising up within the space.”My bed room window completely framed that reach of sky going through Cape Canaveral, and I all the time idea that in all probability there may well be some way I may well be part of this,” she defined. “I used to put unsleeping considering, ‘My gosh, what if I do not accomplish that something I need to succeed in in my existence?'”
Kellie Gerardi
Kellie Gerardi poses out of doors the release pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Gerardi could also be a mom on a undertaking, hanging worry apart.”Numerous folks ask if I am apprehensive or if I am scared and I am actually no longer,” she mentioned. “I feel, if the rest, it is this floating nervousness about kind of the preciousness of this chance.”Gerardi defined her function is multi-faceted.”I feel every now and then folks have a definite symbol of their thoughts of what it approach to be in science, or to be in STEM, or to be a mom, or to be kind of any of those packing containers that we’d position on ourselves or each and every different,” she mentioned. “And I feel embracing our multitudes.”She hopes to ahead the long run for ladies in area. Her group’s flight window opens on Nov. 2 in New Mexico.So does her undertaking make her an astronaut?
Kellie Gerardi/Zoom
Jupiter local and mom Kellie Gerardi speaks to WPTV about her upcoming area flight, Oct. 23, 2023.
“Yeah, on Nov. 2, so proper when I go back to earth,” Gerardi mentioned.She stated it will be a feat.”Fewer than 100 girls within the historical past have ever flown to area,” Gerardi mentioned. “You already know, the barrier has all the time been get entry to and no longer flair.”Now she takes satisfaction within the truth long term generations can dream giant.”My daughter and her era develop up understanding that no longer even the sky’s the restrict on their goals,” she mentioned. “Probably the most profound a part of this adventure for me is not just seeing it during the eyes of my daughter however seeing it during the eyes of my mom as smartly. When she was once born, human beings hadn’t but been to area, and when she was once rising up, girls were not but eligible to be astronauts. One unmarried era later, she is staring at her daughter get ready for a spaceflight of her personal.”
