Kellie Gerardi

Kellie Gerardi is a payload specialist who flew to space on the Galactic 05 research mission with Virgin Galactic, during which she conducted healthcare and fluid experiments in space on behalf of the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS). Kellie is one of the first one hundred women in history to travel to space and is passionate about increasing that number for the next generation. In addition to her work in the space industry, Kellie serves on the Defense Council for the Truman National Security Project, and served on the Board of Directors for The Explorers Club, whose esteemed flag she carried during a crew rotation at the Mars Desert Research Station. Kellie is the author of  the acclaimed children’s picture book series Luna Muna, which was flown to the International Space Station in 2023 and read from space by Commander Peggy Whitson as part of the crew's STEM outreach activities. Kellie is a popular science communicator whose work has attracted over a million fans across social media platforms. She lives in Jupiter, Florida with her husband Steven and their daughter Delta V. You can follow her on social media @kelliegerardi