Nicolina Elrick is a Blue Origin astronaut and entrepreneur whose career has also included philanthropy. In this Astro Ben Podcast interview, host Ben Gamble talks with her about her flight to space with Blue Origin, which took her past the Karman line, and how it changed the way she sees Earth and her own purpose.
Nicolina and Ben, who first met at the International Astronautical Congress, cover the key moments of the flight, what the families go through during a launch, the psychology of preparing for spaceflight, and lessons from her crewmates. She also shares advice for young people who are interested in space, and a proposed SpaceX philanthropic mission concept.
If you are curious about what commercial spaceflight is like for the people who fly, this is a first-hand account. The episode is sponsored by AIDAA. For more, hear Camille Wardrop Alleyne on NASA and STEM or astronaut Danny Olivas on IM-2 and the Moon, or browse the full Astro Ben Podcast archive.
What you will hear
How Nicolina and Ben met at the International Astronautical Congress
The flight to space and its key moments
Seeing Earth from space and a renewed sense of purpose
Her background in philanthropy and entrepreneurship
What families experience during launches
The psychology of preparing for spaceflight, and lessons from her crewmates
Advice for young people and a proposed SpaceX philanthropic mission concept
Guest links
Nicolina Elrick: Website, X, Instagram, Linktree
Listen
Play this episode on Libsyn | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube
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