Podcast Title: T-Minus Space Daily
Host: Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Episode: The First Scottish Woman in Space
Release Date: December 7, 2024
Introduction
In this compelling episode of T-Minus Space Daily, hosted by Maria Varmazes of N2K Networks, listeners are introduced to Nicolina Elric, a trailblazing entrepreneur and the first Scottish woman to venture into space. Released on December 7, 2024, the episode delves deep into Nicolina's extraordinary journey, her mission to inspire future generations, and the challenges she faced both before and after her historic spaceflight with Blue Origin's NS26 crew in August 2024.
Nicolina Elric’s Early Life and Career
Nicolina Elric begins by sharing her humble beginnings in Scotland, marked by personal trauma and adversity. Born into a tumultuous family environment with an alcoholic mother and an absentee father, Nicolina emphasizes her resilience and determination to overcome these challenges.
Nicolina Elric (02:30): "I was born in Scotland from a very traumatic family. My mom was an alcoholic and I had an absentee father. So it was not great beginnings for me. But, you know, I'm a survivor and I kind of thrust through and I saw education as my way out."
Despite these hardships, Nicolina's entrepreneurial spirit shone through from a young age. She engaged in various ventures, from delivering newspapers to setting up a company producing jello shots, before finding her niche in programming during the 80s and 90s. Her technical expertise and investment acumen laid a strong foundation for her future endeavors.
Nicolina Elric (04:07): "I was doing programming and I made some money through it, investment through the 80s and 90s."
However, the bursting of the tech bubble compelled Nicolina to pivot into construction and real estate, where she found considerable success. Her adaptability and foresight eventually led her to the burgeoning space industry.
Journey to Space
Nicolina’s transition into the space sector was driven by her passion and recognition of space as the new frontier. Despite the skepticism surrounding commercial space travel in the early 2010s, she remained undeterred.
Nicolina Elric (06:05): "Space is a new frontier. And 15 years ago, nobody was talking about it apart from the major players... It was a very trying time of the industry where people were like, well, if you do this, it's a huge gamble. And I was like, you know what? I can do that."
Her relentless pursuit led her to book a ticket with Virgin Galactic, where she underwent extensive space training. Through networking and building relationships within the space community, Nicolina secured her seat on Blue Origin's NS26 mission.
Nicolina Elric (06:30): "I reached out to a couple of people by myself and just said, hey, this is my story. I want people to see I'm real... I have got to go to space now."
Nicolina's mission statement encapsulates her drive to demonstrate that women from challenging backgrounds can achieve greatness and literally touch the stars.
Spaceflight Experience
Nicolina provides a vivid recounting of her experience aboard the Blue Origin NS26 mission. Her preparation included rigorous training with international space agencies and mastering zero-gravity environments.
Nicolina Elric (09:36): "It was the most incredible. I was so overqualified for this launch because I've trained with all the cosmonauts."
On launch day, Nicolina describes the intense emotions and physical sensations she experienced. From the initial thrust and the rapid ascent to the serene view of Earth from space, every moment was transformative.
Nicolina Elric (10:15): "You see the dust outside and you think, where's this going to go? How? I can't believe I'm actually doing this. This is my moment."
The mission had a strong humanitarian focus, with a diverse crew representing various backgrounds and religions, symbolizing unity beyond earthly divisions.
Nicolina Elric (13:45): "Our mission and goal was about humanitarian causes. We had such a disruptive crew. A Muslim and a Jew and the youngest woman... we worked so well."
The awe-inspiring sight of Earth from space deepened Nicolina's commitment to environmental stewardship and inspired her to advocate for the preservation of our planet.
Life After Space
Returning to Earth was a profound and challenging transition for Nicolina. The stark contrast between the harmony experienced in space and the prevalent negativity on Earth left her contemplating her role in fostering positive change.
Nicolina Elric (16:00): "Coming back down to earth, I came down with a thud. It was really hard for me to bring myself back into how the world evolves with hate and anger."
Nicolina addresses the backlash faced by women in space, drawing parallels to experiences shared by other female astronauts like Emily Calandrelli. She discusses the toxic online responses and the importance of resilience in the face of such adversity.
Nicolina Elric (22:00): "We've just had the hundredth woman who's been in space. We need to break this. Not just the glass ceiling... but the toxicity that people throw at you afterwards."
Handling Public Perception and Advocacy
To combat negativity, Nicolina's company actively engages in identifying and addressing online harassment. By tracing out hateful comments to their sources, they attempt to understand and resolve underlying issues.
Nicolina Elric (22:30): "Our company... we tend to try and find out who these people are, and then we'll reach out to them... Why are you saying that?"
Nicolina emphasizes the importance of creating positive role models and inspiring young girls through her motivational speaking engagements. She advocates for increased female representation in STEM fields and leadership positions.
Nicolina Elric (20:50): "I talk totally about STEM. I think it's really important for girls to be encouraged by it. You can be pretty and wear pink and stand there in a Bunsen burner."
Other Ventures and Commitments
Beyond her spaceflight, Nicolina is deeply involved in private equity investments within the space technology sector, focusing on sustainable and impactful ventures such as satellite systems and asteroid mining.
Nicolina Elric (19:00): "My bread and butter is like private equity investment for space tech stuff. From satellite systems, asteroid mining... everything."
She is also a prolific author, working on her book Grit Diamond Stars, which chronicles her life story and serves as an inspiration for those facing similar adversities. Additionally, Nicolina conducts corporate trainings and advisory roles, helping companies identify and rectify systemic issues from the top down.
Nicolina Elric (18:10): "I do a lot of motivational speaking at schools... I also do corporate trainings and motivations, and I talk to CEOs of companies."
Her philanthropic efforts are aimed at nurturing the next generation through education and empowering women to assume leadership roles in various industries, including automotive and space.
Final Thoughts
In the concluding segment, Nicolina imparts a powerful message of perseverance and ambition. She encourages listeners to relentlessly pursue their dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face.
Nicolina Elric (26:48): "Never stop dreaming. Believe in those dreams. Don't let anyone else sideline you and take away anything you think you want to do. I am a walking example that you can achieve anything, literally touch the stars."
Maria Varmazes expresses her admiration for Nicolina’s journey, highlighting the profound impact her story has on inspiring listeners, especially young women aspiring to enter the space industry.
Conclusion
This episode of T-Minus Space Daily provides an inspiring and in-depth look into the life of Nicolina Elric, showcasing her as a beacon of resilience, ambition, and leadership in the space industry. From overcoming personal trauma to achieving a historic spaceflight, Nicolina's story underscores the limitless possibilities that dedication and perseverance can yield. Her ongoing efforts to foster positive change and empower future generations make her a pivotal figure in modern space exploration and advocacy.
Listeners are left not only with a greater appreciation for the challenges and triumphs of space travel but also with a renewed sense of hope and motivation to pursue their own aspirations, no matter how audacious they may seem.
Notable Quotes:
- Nicolina Elric (02:30): "I was a kid that came from nothing in Scotland. So I'm the first Scottish woman that went to space."
- Nicolina Elric (06:05): "Space is a new frontier. And 15 years ago, nobody was talking about it apart from the major players."
- Nicolina Elric (10:15): "This is my moment. The scariest part was like when it goes 3, 2, 1..."
- Nicolina Elric (16:00): "Coming back down to earth, I came down with a thud."
- Nicolina Elric (22:30): "We need to break this. Not just the glass ceiling... but the toxicity that people throw at you afterwards."
- Nicolina Elric (26:48): "Never stop dreaming. Believe in those dreams."
Useful for: Individuals interested in space exploration, gender equality in STEM, personal development, and inspirational success stories. This summary provides a comprehensive overview of Nicolina Elric's journey and the broader implications of her achievements in the space industry.