Emily Calandrelli Biography: Age, Husband, Children, Height, Net Worth, TV Shows, Parents

Emily Dawn Calandrelli, known as “The Space Gal,” is an American aerospace engineer, science communicator, author, and television host who has dedicated her career to making STEM—especially space exploration—accessible, exciting, and inclusive.

An MIT graduate who worked on over a dozen NASA missions, she has hosted Xploration Outer Space (syndicated), Emily’s Wonder Lab (Netflix, Emmy-nominated), and Fox’s Xploration Station block.

Calandrelli has authored the bestselling Ada Lace chapter-book series and three Reach for the Stars picture books, inspiring young readers—particularly girls—to pursue science and engineering.

Profile

• Full Name: Emily Dawn Calandrelli
• Stage Name: Emily Calandrelli / The Space Gal
• Born: October 18, 1987
• Age: 38 years old
• Birthplace: Morgantown, West Virginia, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Aerospace Engineer, Science Communicator, Author, Television Host, Executive Producer
• Height: 1.65 m
• Parents: Mr. Calandrelli and Mrs. Calandrelli
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Thomas McLean (m. 2019)
• Children: 2
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $3 million

Early Life and Education

Emily Dawn Calandrelli was born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, United States, to parents referred to as Mr. Calandrelli and Mrs. Calandrelli.

She might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.

She excelled in math and science, becoming the first person in her extended family to attend college.

Calandrelli earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering and Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University on a full scholarship, graduating summa cum laude in 2010.

She then attended MIT, where she received a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics (2013) and a second Master’s in Technology and Policy (2013), working on missions including the CAPSTONE lunar orbiter and the James Webb Space Telescope during her time there.

She is of white ethnicity, and she kept her religion private.

Career

Emily Calandrelli launched her public career in 2013 while still at MIT, appearing as a science correspondent on Bill Nye Saves the World and quickly becoming a go-to expert on network morning shows.

In 2015 she created, hosted, and executive-produced Xploration Outer Space for the Fox-produced Xploration Station block, a nationally syndicated Saturday-morning series that has run for over ten seasons and earned multiple regional Emmy nominations.

The show’s success led to her hosting the entire Xploration Station lineup and cemented her reputation as one of television’s most trusted voices in space education.

Simultaneously, she began writing the Ada Lace chapter-book series (Simon & Schuster, 2017–2020), a STEM-focused mystery/adventure collection that has sold over 250,000 copies and inspired thousands of young readers—especially girls—to pursue engineering and coding.

In 2020, Calandrelli brought her energetic, hands-on style to Netflix with Emily’s Wonder Lab, a live-action science show for kids that reached the Top 10 in 46 countries and earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Educational Series.

She followed this with the bestselling Reach for the Stars picture-book trilogy (Macmillan, 2022–2024) and continues to executive-produce new seasons of Xploration programming while touring as a keynote speaker for NASA, Google, TEDx, and major universities.

Balancing motherhood with a packed schedule, she remains one of the most visible and effective advocates for women in STEM, and public understanding of aerospace engineering and space exploration.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @emilycalandrelli
• Twitter Handle: @thespacegal
• Facebook Handle: Emily Calandrelli Official
• YouTube Channel: Emily Calandrelli

Personal Life

Emily married software engineer Thomas McLean in 2019.

The couple welcomed their first child, a son, in 2022 and a daughter in 2024.

She frequently shares the joys and challenges of balancing motherhood with her demanding career, often posting about “mom guilt,” pumping backstage, and bringing her children along to speaking gigs.

Notable Works

• Xploration Outer Space (host & EP, 2015–present)
• Emily’s Wonder Lab (Netflix, 2020)
• Ada Lace adventure series (5 books, 2017–2020)
• Reach for the Stars picture books (3 books, 2022–2024)
• Bill Nye Saves the World (correspondent)

Net Worth

Emily Calandrelli has an estimated net worth of $3 million, earned through television hosting and executive producing, book royalties from her bestselling children’s series, high-profile speaking engagements (Google, NASA, TEDx, etc.), brand partnerships, and consulting work in aerospace and education outreach.