Kellie Gerardi
BIO
I’m a scientist-astronaut candidate with project PoSSUM and bioastronautics researcher studying human factors in space exploration and technology/ life support systems in microgravity. I’m mom to a one-year-old daughter and an avid science communicator.
Instagram: @kelliegerardi
Instagram: @mommyneedsspace
KELLIE GERARDI
“Being a mom is magical, but my career and my work remain important to me.”
My personal identity has always been deeply entwined with my love of space and science, and my commitment to advancing humanity's footprint in the solar system. I always knew I wanted to balance that with a family one day, but I've learned that there's really no such thing as work-life "balance" in my world- it's really more about work-life integration.
That reality hit home the very same day I discovered I was pregnant: I had to disclose my medical condition and give up my seat on an upcoming experimental microgravity research flight. The short-term disappoint was of course mitigated by overwhelming joy, and I ended up returning to flight training a few months after giving birth to my daughter, Delta V. I guarantee I was the only candidate wearing Spanx underneath their flight suit!
Being a mom is magical, but my career and my work remain important to me, and I've often had to make sacrifices on both sides. Occasionally that means I've missed out on special moments while I was away, like my daughter's first steps. It's hard not to feel guilty in those moments, and I had to remind myself that I would get to celebrate that milestone with her as soon as I got home.
One of my favorite memories, though, was bringing my newborn to the SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch - a historic moment that I wanted to share with my family. When the sound barrier broke over my daughter's head, I realised that she has been born exactly at the beginning of a new era in space exploration, with so many people working together toward a shared dream of expanding humanity's footprint in the universe - a dream that my daughter's generation will most certainly see realised. I had never felt more motivated and inspired.
The truth is that I wouldn't be "me" without my work - my career adds a dimension to my life that makes me feel personally and professionally fulfilled, and ultimately allows me to be the best version of myself for my daughter.
I'm still figuring out the balance, but we tackle it together as a family.