From Jupiter to the Stars: Kellie Gerardi’s Sky-High Story

Some people are born to look at the stars. Others are born to chase them.
For Jupiter native Kellie Gerardi, the sky was never a limit — it was a destination.

This week, the Town of Jupiter officially declared November 2nd “Kellie Gerardi Day”, honoring the local trailblazer who became the 90th woman in history to visit space. The announcement marked the second anniversary of her maiden voyage with Virgin Galactic, a journey that forever tethered Jupiter’s name to the cosmos.

Mayor Jim Kuretski summed it up best: “She carried the spirit of her hometown into space.”

A Dream Born Under Jupiter Skies

Long before her astronaut suit shimmered beneath zero-gravity light, Kellie was just a Jupiter kid staring at rocket launches from Cape Canaveral. Two decades later, that curiosity evolved into a career that’s reshaping what it means to be an explorer.

Her path wasn’t paved by privilege — it was built coat by coat, literally. While studying at Barnard College, Kellie worked the coat check at The Explorers Club in New York City. That room, filled with scientists and adventurers, became the launch pad for her life’s mission.

Today, she’s a payload specialist, author, mother, and digital icon with over a million Instagram followers — all tuning in to watch her redefine what “space ready” looks like.

Her signature blend of science and sparkle, friendship bracelets, and pop-culture humor proves that STEM and femininity can orbit beautifully together.

Lifting Off and Looking Back

When she first went to space in 2023, Gerardi whispered “Hi, Delta” to her then-five-year-old daughter through the spacecraft window — a moment that captured the world’s heart and went viral online.

Now, she’s preparing for a second mission, this time with an all-female crew set to launch from New Mexico in 2026. Between training, motherhood, and speaking engagements, she still calls Jupiter home — a place where she says she feels most grounded.

“Seeing Earth from above changed everything,” she reflects. “You realize how lucky we are, and how fragile this is.”

Her message to her daughter — and every young dreamer — is simple: you belong among the stars.

The Spirit of Jupiter: Innovation Meets Inspiration

For those of us who live, work, and play in Jupiter, Gerardi’s story is more than inspiring — it’s a reflection of our community’s DNA.
From world-class marinas to cutting-edge research hubs, Jupiter has always attracted those who think big and live boldly.

Whether you’re charting the Intracoastal or charting a course to space, this coastal town reminds us that adventure is never far away — and sometimes, it starts in your own backyard.