Opening for TEDxIndianaUniversity was Xploration Outer Space producer and star, Emily Calandrelli’s tongue in cheek summary of why space exploration is actually a misguided and empty pursuit, upon which billions of dollars are wasted every year.

Emily Calandrelli is a producer and the host of FOX's Xploration Outer Space, a nationally syndicated educational program about the space industry. She is also a writer for TechCrunch where she covers
technology topics with a focus on commercial space companies.

Emily graduated from MIT with a Masters in Aeronautics and Astronautics and second Masters in Technology and Policy. While at MIT, Emily was awarded the Rene H. Miller Award for the best piece of Systems Engineering work in the AeroAstro department. She received her bachelors in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from West Virginia University. As an undergraduate, Emily received the Truman
Scholarship, Goldwater Scholarship, and placed on USA Today's All-USA Academic First Team.

Emily enjoys writing, speaking, and posting on her social media (@TheSpaceGal) on the topics of science literacy, space exploration, and equality in STEM fields.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx