Astronaut Kellie Gerardi is gearing up for her next space adventure with Virgin Galactic, set to launch in 2026. Following her groundbreaking suborbital flight in 2023, Gerardi is focusing on a specialized fitness routine to ensure she and her all-female crew are ready for the unique challenges of space travel.
Key Takeaways
- Kellie Gerardi will participate in an all-female suborbital spaceflight in 2026.
- Her fitness routine emphasizes cardiovascular health and core strength.
- The mission will focus on women’s health research in space.
A New Chapter in Space Exploration
Kellie Gerardi made headlines in 2023 when she became one of the few women to travel to space aboard a Virgin Galactic flight. As she prepares for her upcoming mission, she is excited to lead an all-female science team, which marks a significant milestone in the history of space exploration.
"We like to joke that we’re upping our dose of ‘Vitamin G’ — a major component of preparation involves flying in parabolic (zero-g) and aerobatic (high-g) campaigns here on Earth to validate that our payloads and research equipment will perform as intended in extreme conditions and to refine our in-space operations as researchers," Gerardi explained.
Fitness Regimen for Space
Physical fitness is crucial for astronauts, especially when dealing with the high G-forces experienced during launch and re-entry. Gerardi’s fitness routine includes:
- Cardiovascular Training: To enhance tolerance to high G-forces, she incorporates a mix of walking, jogging, and running into her daily routine.
- Core Strength Workouts: Core strength is vital for stability and performance in microgravity.
- Interval Training: This helps improve overall fitness and endurance, preparing her body for the physical demands of space.
Focus on Women’s Health Research
One of the primary goals of Gerardi’s upcoming mission is to advance research on women’s health in space. Reflecting on the past, she noted how much has changed since NASA’s early days, where female astronauts were advised to bring an excessive number of tampons for a week-long mission.
"This next research spaceflight is going to help advance the studies we began on the first mission and introduce new research as well," she stated. Gerardi will be joined by Dr. Shawna Pandya from Canada and Dr. Norah Patten from Ireland, both of whom are experts in their fields.
The Importance of Proper Footwear
In addition to her fitness routine, Gerardi has partnered with the female-focused athletic shoe brand Rykä. She highlighted the importance of footwear designed specifically for women, stating, "The fact that they’re designed for women from the start, and not just adapted for us, is incredibly unique and isn’t something I take for granted."
While astronauts typically go shoeless during long-duration missions, Gerardi explained that for shorter flights, sneakers are essential. She prefers shoes with a higher ankle to accommodate her flight suit and provide stability while operating research equipment in microgravity.
Conclusion
As Kellie Gerardi prepares for her next journey into space, her commitment to fitness and women’s health research exemplifies the evolving landscape of space exploration. With an all-female crew and a focus on groundbreaking research, this mission promises to be a significant step forward in understanding the unique challenges women face in space.
Sources
- Astronaut Kellie Gerardi reveals fitness routine for spaceflight, New York Post.
