
Nicolina Elrick’s journey is a tale of relentless ambition and resilience. From Scotland to the stars, she became the first Scottish woman to go to space.
Loading summary
Maria Varmazes
You're listening to the N2K space network.
Black Cloak Ad
And now a message from Black Cloak. What's the easiest way for threat actors to bypass your company's cyber defenses? Targeting your executives at home? According to the latest Poneman Research study, over 42% of CISOs have reported cyberattacks on their executives in their personal lives. And this becomes your problem because executives are easy targets at home for account takeover, credential theft and reputational harm. Close the at home security gap with Black Cloak's digital executive protection platform. Award winning 247365 protection for executives and their families. Learn more at BlackCloak IO.
Narrator
Lots of views on space tourism out there. Yeah, the high price tag has meant that this ride is for the few that can afford it. Unless you have a business or humanitarian organization footing the bill. Do these trips open up access to space to more people, or are they just joyrides? Does space tourism advance scientific understanding, inspire future leaders, and create passionate advocates for the caretaking of our world? There are absolutely no simple answers here. And nobody knows that reality better than those who have made the incredible journey to space themselves. Welcome to T minus deep space from and 2K networks. I'm Maria Varmazes. Nicolina Elric's journey is a tale of relentless ambition and resilience. From her humble beginnings in Scotland, she has forged her way to becoming one of the first 100 women to travel to space. Nicolina was part of Blue Origin's NS26 crew, which flew to the Carmen line in August 2024. This is her story.
Nicolina Elric
My name is Nicolina Elric. The real Nicolina E is what everybody knows me as in all my socials, because it really is me. I think I got the real because I fell into like a Space is my thing. And I really feel like that's me. And I've thrown myself into it for the last 15 years and embraced it. So prior to that, I come from extremely humble beginnings, which is contrary to most of the Blue Origin flyers. So when I launched the Blue Origin back in August this year, August 29th this year with an amazing crew, most people think of Blue Origin flyers as like the billionaire Joy Club, all flying up to space and they're all little jolly. And I kind of wanted to break that record for the moment, show that that's, you know, not what I'm about. So my mission statement was like, girls who come from trauma and come from nothing can achieve greatness and touch the stars quite literally. So, yeah. So I was a kid that came from nothing in Scotland. So I'm the first Scottish woman that went to space. That was incredible. For me, that was a great achievement. Yeah. So 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. So I worked extremely hard and it was an entrepreneur since the age of five and I've just been doing all these like, odd jobs here and there, from, like, delivering papers to, like setting up a company that was doing jello shots to all sorts of random kind of stuff until I kind of found my niche in it. So I was doing programming and I made some money through it investment through the 80s and 90s. Yes, I am that old. Thank God this is just microphone and not camera.
Maria Varmazes
I would never have guessed that, honestly. My goodness.
Nicolina Elric
That's very sweet. That's very sweet. Yeah.
Maria Varmazes
I was like, you're born in the 80s, right? So that's when you were five that you guessed.
Nicolina Elric
Oh, it's very cute. I mean, give me a blessing and a curse at the same time. Because some people, when I'm trying to, you know, when I keynote speaking and doing motivational training, people are like, you sure you did that? And then they'll Google me. They're like, wow, she really did, did. But, yeah, so in the 80s and 90s, I was doing a lot of IT work and that, you know, it was fantastic. I loved it. It was definitely a thriving. And then the bubble happened, so all of us took a great hit and I had to pivot and I found that I wanted to do tangible assets. So I then pivoted into construction and real estate and did really well out of that. And then I was doing consulting and companies kept coming out to me saying, hey, we've got a satellite system that, you know, we just don't know how to bring it to market, or we've got this other system that's to do the space. And I just kind of rolled into it. Everybody kept talking about all the time saying, hey, you know, space is a new frontier. And 15 years ago, nobody was talking about it apart from the major players. You know, there was a whisper of Jeff Bezos doing something. Elon had just taken the reins of SpaceX, but was not going anywhere fast with it. Like, it was really still a standstill. So 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. You know, I come from nothing, I've got nothing to lose. I've made all this money, but I can lose it and win it and just keep trying. And I love to sink my teeth into something and to prove a point. It's like, you know, to make it grow. So I've been doing it for the last 15 years, talking to companies and consulting with them to make sure that, you know, space tech investment is a way forward. And doing that, I kind of thought I better go to space and find out if I'm really doing the right thing. So, yeah, so I kind of started off by buying a ticket with Virgin Galactic. And through them I did a lot of space training. I got introduced to all the right people and I was flying helicopters as a part time hobby. So while I was doing that, I was meeting a whole other demographic of people too, who then introduced me to other people who were working with like space agencies around the world. And I'm like, hey, you seem to have a bit of a knack for this. Would you consider going to space? And of course, a little girl from Scotland going, becoming an astronaut, especially the word astronaut was never in my peripheral. But it's funny how one person can motivate you and another can ignite that in you. And it just was like, that was it. I was on a goal of mission. I was like, I have got to go to space now. I got to find a way to go to space. And because all these commercial agencies have set up, the opportunity came up, you know, it was. I got the call from Blue Origin to see a seat came available in 2020. And I was like, this is amazing. This is amazing. And unfortunately delays, you know, it's pandemic. Then they had an anomaly and then finally I got my opportunity in 24. So it was absolutely revolutionary and changed my life. I mean, the whole time I was crying going to every little girl who thought her dream can come true. I am a walking example that it can. And just never stop believing because really anything is possible if you are determined enough, you have grit and tenacity and you really want to work hard, you can achieve that.
Maria Varmazes
Oh, I, oh my gosh, what an incredible story. You have encountered so much risk and I mean this in like the, and you've just gone for it and you haven't let that hold you back. And I mean, I'm just thinking about just in terms of career also the fact that you have so much familiarity with like physical Tangible systems and also virtual systems gives you such a great visibility and understanding of that like, hybrid world where space is at. And so what an amazing place where you're at right now in your career. So many things just make sense and it's just like, oh my gosh. But most of all, especially, I'm sorry, I'm sort of like bowing down.
Nicolina Elric
I know there's a lot, there's a lot to like wrap your head around. I know I'm like, you know, that's a lot. So.
Maria Varmazes
Yeah, no, but it's, but that you have. So you've just, you've rolled with it and you have just, just taken those challenges head on. I've often joked with people I am way too chicken to ever go into space. So I'm always in awe of people like yourself who have gone because I'm just like, I'm too scared. But go figure that you've done it because you're like, risk does not phase you. Like you understand it, but you also, you move forward. Just. All my life, all my admiration.
Nicolina Elric
Thank you. It's a calculated risk. You know, I don't do things, you know, half hearted and I don't do things foolishly either, you know, so whenever I do something, I mean, I'm a single parent and I raise my daughter by myself, but she's at the prime age now at 21, where she can make her own decisions. And you know, going to space is definitely a risk factor. And to sit down and have a conversation with her to say, well, mommy's doing this. And she just, tears of joy came in her face. She's like, you've wanted this your whole life. Because since I was a baby, you talk about space and she says, so for you to go would be. She says, for me to say no, for you going would just be a disadvantage to your life. So I'm glad that she understood that this really is everything I wanted it to be.
Maria Varmazes
That is so amazing. I've thought about that a lot in my own life. I have a 7 year old, so it's just different phases of life, you know, when my daughter's an adult.
Nicolina Elric
Yeah, we want to make our kids proud too. This new generation need more female role models. And I thought, she can't get that from her own mother. Then where are we going with this? It's like we need to start at home and expand and create that ripple outwards and, you know, if I can just change one or two other lives and make them happier or more motivated or, or see that there's an out then. I've done my job as a human being.
Maria Varmazes
Oh my goodness. Of course. Absolutely. You're still fresh off of your trip to space. I mean, it's still pretty recent. So please tell me about that experience. I never get sick about hearing people's experiences. I'd love to hear yours.
Nicolina Elric
It was the most incredible. I mean, I've done. I was so overqualified for this launch because I've done, you know, I trained in Russia before with all the cosmonauts. I've done Nastar in Philadelphia. I've done go zero G like 20 times. Love them. Shout out to Goz guys, because I thought they would tell me I couldn't go anymore. I was always taking up space, quite literally. But I just love all of that. So when it came to my turn to do it, I was just so prepared. I was calm. I was like bringing my whole crew into meditation. And the day of the launch, we were sitting there just really fine tuned together. And when I got into the seat, and you know, it's a five point harness and you're clipped and tight and hard and you've got your white knuckles holding onto the side of the rail. And you look to my, to my right and there's this floor to ceiling window. And you see the, you know, you just see the dust outside and you think, where's this going to go? Like, how, how? I can't believe I'm actually doing this. This is, this is my moment. The scariest part was like, thankfully they train you for it. The scariest part was like when it goes 3, 2, 1, it doesn't actually take off from there. You have seven seconds after that, number one. And so we sat there going, 7, 6. And when that started happening, the cabin goes red. You see fire coming up the side of your window and you see debris just flying everywhere. And you suddenly think, but you're trained for it, that they tell you this beforehand is that seven seconds before it starts moving that you're going to think that you're like a suckling pig and you're being fried in the middle of something, but you're not and you're good. And it will just take off and it'll start shuddering and it goes up. And the minute it just started going up, you are full thrust all the way. It's like, you know, max three, you're going almost 4,000 kilometers an hour and you're pinned down so hard that, you know, my face is contorted and making all sorts of shapes in this eye. But I kept looking one eye in the monitor and one eye out the window. And I was like, I don't care how I look. This is like the ride life. This is what I've dreamed my whole life for. And you watch as the Earth just gets smaller and smaller below you. And it's just this fragility of it all. You watching as suddenly it goes from light to dark. Like a flick of a switch. It suddenly goes black. And you're in space. And all that happens, like within minutes. And you're standing there and you're like, your harness becomes, you know, you lift up from your seats and you think there's no space in your harness prior to going up there. There is. When you're in space, you suddenly realize there is a gap. You undo your five point harness and you just float. For me, it was more the view. I didn't want to throw candy or throw water or do somersaults. I was like, I want to see the view. So I went upside down more for, like, aesthetics in the camera. To be like, hey, look at me. I'm upside down. I'm floating. I did that, and then I immediately turned back around and clipped myself back. And again I looked out the window and it was just magnetizing. They tell us prior to launch, don't put your hands in the windows. We don't need fingerprints because we're filming at all. There's some science experiments happening, so we need all the camera footage we can get. First thing I did, slam my face to the window and handprints all over it. I was just like, I want to get out there. Oh, my God, this is incredible. And I was screaming, this is incredible. Get me out there. Get. I want to be in it. There was magnetism. I just felt so drawn into it. It was magnetic and sparkly, and it wasn't like a dark black, like a sad black. It was like a beautiful, shiny, effervescent black that I just. I've never seen in my life before. And all I wanted to do was swim in it. And so I literally was like, glued to the window and just thought, I want to immerse myself. And in my head I'm thinking, I'm booking my next space ride. I have to get a trip. I have to start swimming. I have to experience this more. And before you know it, they're saying, put your harnesses back on. Clip back into seats. So everybody's like, checking on one another. We all clicked in. We had little GoPros, did a couple of selfies all around with everyone, you know, shot them a little bit and then we were coming down. You just see everything coming up fast, you know, and I'm just. Tears were streaming down my face and I just, I wanted the moment to stop. I wanted, you know, I wanted whole timeline of life to just stop. And I'm looking. The fragility of the Earth and that thin blue line everyone talks about. Yeah, it's really like that. Not flat, not a flatliner. It's definitely not flat. The earth is round. But yeah, that thin blue line was just like, okay, I need to do something that involves helping Mother Earth, being part of that and embracing, you know, I love to call it Pachamama. Embracing Pachamama and just finding a way to bring space and earth in her harmony together as one. I mean, our mission and goal was about humanitarian causes. We had such a disruptive crew. We had, you know, a Muslim and a Jew and the youngest woman. And like everybody was so different and eclectic, but we worked so well. And I think that's the beauty of space, the eclecticism. And like, there's no, I mean it's. People talk it ad nauseum, no boundaries, no religion, no nothing. But it really is. And it expands your brain into so many different levels and takes your breath away that you just think, why can't we live like this all the time? Why can't life be like this continuous? So yeah, when I came back down to earth, I came down with a thud. It was really hard for me to kind of like, you know, bring myself back into like how, how the world just evolves and the hate and the anger and everything else and how, you know, and I just, it was great because it made me think I need to help people. I need to change that. I need to do something that, yeah, makes in from the roots up so for meets kids. I always think if you talk to children, you encourage children, you motivate them, you enlighten them in a way that brings joy to their heart, soul, then they're going to be better people in this world. And if they're happier, better people, there's going to be less war. And if there's less war, then there's going to be more. Everything's going to be better for everybody. So yeah, that was kind of, that was kind of my, my ten minute little ride. But it just made me so addicted to like, I want to do more. I want to do more.
Narrator
We'll be right back.
Black Cloak Ad
Now a word about our sponsor, the Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute. The JHU ISI is home to world class interdisciplinary experts dedicated to developing technologies to protect the world's vast online systems and infrastructure and working closely with US Government research agencies and industry partners. The Institute offers dual degree and joint programs in computer science and health informatics and has been designated as a center of Academic Excellence in Cyber research. Learn more at ISI JHU Edu.
Nicolina Elric
Way.
Xbox Ad
To eat a tea. You listen into an app at PC Game Pass. Want new games on day one like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? How about living out your SIMS Life with EA Play? We talking high quality PC games all for one low monthly price. We got you. Learn more at Xbox.com PCGame Pass or click the banner Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Available December 9, 2024. Game catalog varies by region and over time. Okay, that's the ad. You can go back to doing whatever you were doing now.
Maria Varmazes
I can only imagine after such a. I mean you're up there, you're. My life is forever changed, right? I mean there's. Nothing will ever be the same. I mean that is not often in life do we get moments like that maybe when, like when our child is born, you know, but going into space is definitely, you know, nothing will ever be the same. And I. That what comes after. I'm always so curious. And you were starting to get to that because I mean walking around in the on earth going, I've been to space. How do I even kind of go about my day now?
Nicolina Elric
What? That was it? Well, yeah, really. I was like, you know, you would get told by, you know, different. I work with different space agencies and they were just like, well Nick, you really should like get a publicist. You should arrange all of this. And, and I just thought why, why, why do I have to pay money to tell people that we can do better? I'm like, that should naturally gravitate towards people that can get that message out to the right people at the right time. And so, you know, I reached out to a couple of people by myself and just said, hey, this is my story. You know, I want people to see I'm real rags to riches. I'm a real girl from trauma. I can touch the stars, you know, and I've written. I have to say there's a little bit of a plug. I did write a book about my life that's coming out next year says Grit Diamond Stars. We have a little bit of a hiccup with some legalities and some people who were in it don't want to be in it anymore. So I'M rewriting them out of the book, which is fine.
Maria Varmazes
It's not always the way that's happens a lot.
Nicolina Elric
Exactly. So I'm kind of going through that at the moment. So unfortunately it's not going to hit the Christmas book list, but hopefully it'll be a summer read for next summer. But it'll be sitting reading up a little girl who goes to space and how her dreams came true. So, yeah. So kind of that's my journey. I'm kind of just talking about that. Talking about how anything is possible.
Maria Varmazes
That's amazing. I love hearing you tell all these stories.
Narrator
By the way.
Maria Varmazes
You're a fantastic storyteller. So just wanted to say that I know you're. You have other things that you're also working on.
Nicolina Elric
You're.
Maria Varmazes
I was looking on your website, you're very busy. This is not surprising given how many phases of your career you've gone through. So I want to make sure I give you an opportunity to tell me a little bit about the other things that you're also up to. So feel free to regale me a bit because you're, you're doing a lot of stuff.
Nicolina Elric
Yeah, I do. So I think my bread and butter is like private equity investment for space tech stuff. So that's more like everything from satellite systems, asteroid mining, just a little bit of like, kind of everything. But it has to be companies that have real time to bl it on Earth too. You can't. I don't believe, you know, I live through the docom bubble where everyone was like, going, I'm a unicorn and give me trillions of money. And it's like, well, I'm not going to buy your dream. I need to see that this is a reality and could work. So people are quite, yeah, are very, very careful of what they bring to my desk. But when they do, I usually get some really good, good stuff, which I'm really grateful for, which is great. And then philanthropic side, I do a lot of motivational speaking at schools, so I try and target age group between like 8 and 15 because I think that's a pivotal point in someone's life. The months are usually indebted with the parents of like, ingrained in them certain, like, patterns. And it's up to us to then bring that forward and make that a creative side and a more harmonious side and help guide them into what they can do. And I talk totally about stem. I think it's really important for girls to be encouraged by it. When I was a girl, I, you know, it wasn't. It was home economics and baking and knitting and we weren't told that physics and science and all that were great and fun. And you can be pretty and wear pink and stand there in a Bunsen burner and, you know, your lab coat doesn't have to be white, it can be fluorescent. And so I, you know, I'm trying to break that demographic of all that say, look, you can basically do anything. So I love doing that. So I talk to a lot of schools. I get flown around doing that. And then I also do corporate trainings and motivations, and I talk to CEOs of companies because I think a lot of companies aren't working or need to pivot. It becomes rotten from the top down. And companies don't always acknowledge that. They blame their staff constantly. Oh, they're not working hard enough or they're not doing the right thing, or we've employed the wrong people and it's like, well, hold on a minute. Can't be a whole team. Surely something else is wrong. So, yeah, our team tend to go in and we do like a 360 and we assess everybody. And I'd say 90% of the time it's the boss. So I then go in and sit down with the boss and be like, hey, I'm sorry, but I'm the one here. It's like the bearer of bad news. I'm always coming in to fight fires, and I think I'm pretty good at it. So I sit down with them and I listen to what they think the company should be at, where they think it should go, and then I'll sit down with them and be more of a sounding board. Like, I will never advise someone this is the way, the direction the company should be. I listen to them and like, pick keywords up from what they've said and say, well, did you think about this? I could. Obviously you're thinking about it, but if you pivoted in this way instead. So, yeah, I love. I think I love that more than anything else. And I'm in a really nice position in my life where I get to pick and choose because it's not every boss I want to work with. Some people I'm thinking are beyond hope, but I don't want to tell them that. So I'll be like, I'll send in one of my team members or something. Like, yeah, there's. That's that person again. You know, that guy, the one who's prejudiced and arrogant. Well, let's. We just need to Fire him. So, yeah, but I love it. I really love my job. And I think it's really important to encourage women to become key players in positions of power. And I'm a huge fan of Gwen ShotWell, who's running SpaceX, because I think that she's done that remarkably well over the last 15 years. I've watched her turn it around, and she does on the sideline. She doesn't have to be in front of the camera all the time to achieve the greatness that she's done. And I have great admiration for that. And there's a lot of other pivotal players like that, too, in the automotive industry and all around. So it's great. I get to talk to people like that, that. And speak to them about their struggles and. And I, I mean, firsthand experience. When I came back down from space, I had a lot of hate on social media. I mean, it was just. I was surprised. Men become very vindictive and angry with women who have places of power, and they suddenly was this hate of, like, you know, who did you sleep with? What did you do? And I was just like, well, hold on a minute. Why are you saying that? Why have you become so toxic? Why do you feel it necessary? And, you know, keyboard warriors who hide behind that screen are the worst ones for it. So we, our company, because, you know, we have some great IT security, we tend to try and find out who these people are, and then we'll reach out to them and on a different site, like, we'll find out who they are and then reach out to them through their LinkedIn and they'll be horrified. I'll be like, you know, X62 9525Z that you're using on Insta. Well, we know it's you. So do you want to tell us why you're saying that to this person? And they'll suddenly write it and be like, well, you know, actually this happened. So it's usually some core thing that happened to them that made them angry. Like some woman, you know, just dissed them somehow in their relationship, or they felt, you know, hurt by them, that they just rally out. So we just need to navigate that and try and realize that people, you know, there needs to be less hate. We need to kind of make sure that we can work harmoniously together.
Maria Varmazes
Yeah, I, I've seen what you've, what you're talking about, both in your case and other women who've gone to space. I'm thinking of Emily Calandrelli. As soon as she came back down to Earth and no woman is surprised. It's sadly disappointingly familiar. But I, yeah, I hate that it's happening.
Nicolina Elric
I mean, I'm currently right now staying with a friend of mine. She was a Virgin Galactic astronauts and her and I were chatting about last night and it's just doesn't matter which space agency you're from. It could be NASA or ESAU or Galactic or blue or wherever. All of us encounter the same thing. And that's horrifying in this day and age. And like you say, we've just had the hundredth woman who's been in space. We need to break this. Not just the glass ceiling of women in these power positions, but the toxicity that people throw at you afterwards because you've done that, because you're driven and because you want to achieve something. I mean, we should be embraced by that.
Maria Varmazes
Yeah. And it's amazing when we have in the space industry the conversations about how do we get more women into the space industry? And I often can't say it very directly, but part of me just wants to go, well, look what happens when women go to space. And I'm just. Emily just went like she just came back. So I was there when she was there. Yeah, you were there.
Nicolina Elric
I know.
Maria Varmazes
You know, you were quite literally there. And I'm just thinking what a, I mean again, life changing experience for her to then encounter that kind of ugliness upon such a joyful thing to. And it's completely wrong and terrible and yet so predictable. Like every woman saw that one coming. And it's just like, why?
Nicolina Elric
And we also spoke to her about it too. Yeah. You know, everybody reached out and said to her, hey, you know, we're here to help you manage after. And it's like as much as you tell people this is going to happen, you're like, no, but you're on such a high from space that comes out. It just blindsides you because you're like, hold on a minute, can everybody rally around and just give me a hug and tell me how amazing this experience has been? I mean, and I just, you know, I would say that to all the crew who fly in any shape or form. And I always say your experience can never be taken away from you. Always remember that. Keep yourself grounded, remember those moments. Whatever else said everybody else says good or for bad, just remember your moments and your key things. And you know, the most important is journal afterwards, write it down, make sure you have a copy of it. So anytime someone else gives you like just Roth, you just reread that and remind yourself this was your journey.
Maria Varmazes
That's right.
Nicolina Elric
Yeah.
Maria Varmazes
And. And for those of us who have never been but are watching and cheering you all on, to me, I consider it part of my mission is to just be that positive voice that there are so many of us that just admire you all so greatly. And as the mother of a little girl, I am always telling all your stories to her because those are not the loud conversations on social media. They're the quiet ones happening at home. But women like you, they matter a great deal to women like me in my little girl.
Nicolina Elric
Well, we wouldn't be in positions we are, too, without women like you two helping us spread the word of this joy, you know, And I just think that's important. We all work. We're all links in one big chain together. There's no bigger link than the other. It's like. And I just think that, you know, it's great.
Maria Varmazes
Well, I. Nicolina, I'm so glad I got a chance to talk to you. I want to give you the last word. I always like to give my guests the last word if there's anything you want to leave everybody with. But I just wanted to say thank you so much for speaking with me. It's really been an honor and a joy speaking with you, so. But by all means, you will have the last word.
Nicolina Elric
Thank you, Maria. It's been really. It's been. It's been an honor and joy for me to be able to have a moment to talk to people about this. I just think it's important that people realize, like, 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 mean, I'm a walking example that you can achieve anything, literally touch the stars. And I think that's important to remember. Just keep going for it. Never stop.
Narrator
That's it for T Minus Deep Space, brought to you by N2K CyberWire. We'd love to know what you think of this podcast. You can email us@spacen2k.com or submit the survey in the show notes. Your feedback ensures we deliver the information that keeps you a step ahead in the rapidly changing space industry. T Minus Deep Space is produced by Alice Carus. Our associate producer is Liz Stokes. We are mixed by Elliot Peltzman and Trey Hester with original music by Elliot Peltzman. Our executive producer is Jennifer Iban. Our executive editor is Brandon Karp. Simone Petrella is our president. Peter Kilpie is our publisher. And I am your host, Maria Varmazes. Thanks for listening.
Maria Varmazes
We'll see you next time.
Podcast Title: T-Minus Space Daily
Host: Maria Varmazes, N2K Networks
Episode: The First Scottish Woman in Space
Release Date: December 7, 2024
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 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.
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.
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.
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."
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."
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.
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.
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:
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.