Emily Calandrelli, widely recognized by her online moniker “The Space Gal,” is transitioning from real-world spaceflight to the animated Marvel universe. The science communicator and engineer will voice the character Astronaut Amy in an upcoming episode of Disney Jr.’s “Marvel’s Iron Man and his Awesome Friends,” titled “The Iron Friends in Space.” This appearance continues her mission to make scientific concepts accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
In the episode, Calandrelli’s character interacts with young versions of iconic superheroes, including Tony Stark, Riri Williams (Ironheart), Amadeus Cho, and Vision. Set against a moon-themed museum exhibit featuring holographic displays, the storyline allows Astronaut Amy to share insights about lunar exploration and space travel. The series is designed to present superhero conflicts through age-appropriate problem-solving and teamwork scenarios rather than large-scale emergencies.
Calandrelli’s background aligns closely with the technological themes of her Marvel counterparts. A former NASA citizen astronaut, she became the 100th woman to reach space in November 2024 when she flew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on the NS-28 mission. The suborbital flight carried her past the Kármán line, providing several minutes of weightlessness before returning to Earth.
This casting follows a trend of real-life astronauts appearing in Disney animated projects. Former NASA astronaut Mae Jemison, the first Black woman in space, voiced a fictional app named Skipster in “Marvel’s Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” in March 2023. Additionally, citizen astronaut Kellie Gerardi recently announced her role in the upcoming Disney Animation Studios film “Hexed.>”
The animated series is also set to expand its roster. Beginning next summer, the show will be rebranded as “Marvel’s Avengers: Mightiest Friends,” introducing a larger ensemble that includes Captain America, Hulk, Black Panther, Black Widow, and Thor.
Viewers can watch “The Iron Friends in Space” when it premieres on Disney Jr. on October 14. The episode will become available for streaming on Disney+ starting October 28. Disney+ subscription options range from $11.99 per month with ads to $18.99 per month for the ad-free Premium tier.
The Avengers expansion sounds cool, but I wish they kept the focus on Iron Man a bit longer.
Is it just me, or does Disney keep casting real astronauts? This is like the third time this year alone.
Wait, she was on Blue Origin? That is wild. Never thought I’d see a citizen astronaut voice act in Marvel.
Love seeing real astronauts in kids shows. Hope it inspires more girls to aim for the stars!