Researchers Analyzed How Astronauts Used Instagram
A study examined how women in space research leveraged social media to blend professional science with personal branding.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Space
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A study published in the Journal of Science Communication analyzed 194 Instagram posts from three women astronauts between June 24, 2024, and November 24, 2024. The research explored how these figures utilized social media to integrate scientific achievements with personal content.
Why it matters
Understanding how science influencers frame messages is critical for reaching wider audiences and balancing professional outreach with personal branding. This analysis provides a framework for how future space research missions may communicate with the public.
The researchers analyzed 194 posts, categorizing them by framing methods and audience engagement tactics. The subjects featured follower counts of 1.4 million for Kellie Gerardi, 99,000 for Norah Patten, and 30,000 for Shawna Pandya.
The players
Kellie Gerardi
A researcher and astronaut candidate who maintains a high-profile social media presence with 1.4 million followers.
Norah Patten
An Irish aeronautical engineer and astronaut candidate who communicates her research to a follower base of 99,000.
Shawna Pandya
A Canadian physician and scientist who engages 30,000 followers on social media regarding her aerospace work.
The details
Researchers Karen Shalev, Shannon Pappas, and Jocelyn Steinke of the University of Connecticut tracked posts featuring video content, audio clips, and images with associated captions and emojis. The team sorted these materials into recurring subjects and framing methods to identify how influencers maintain engagement while discussing technical space research. By combining pop culture references with professional milestones, the astronauts tailored their communication strategies to reach diverse social media demographics.
Timeline
June 2024: Virgin Galactic announced an all-women research flight.
June 24, 2024 to November 24, 2024: Researchers collected Instagram posts for the study.
2026: The Virgin Galactic research flight is scheduled to occur.
The Tech Race
This study highlights how commercial astronaut candidates are professionalizing science communication as part of the broader rise of private spaceflight missions. It tracks the evolution of digital outreach relative to the training and public milestones established by the Virgin Galactic research flight program.
This analysis clarifies the strategies used by science influencers to make complex aerospace topics accessible to general social media users. Readers can observe these patterns to better distinguish between promotional branding and verified scientific reporting in their digital feeds.
The takeaway
The research indicates that high-reach influencers successfully use personal storytelling to bridge the gap between niche space science and the general public. Interested observers should monitor the 2026 Virgin Galactic flight to see how these communication tactics evolve as the research moves from social media to active space flight.
Further reading
Explore the latest developments in private and academic space exploration at Space.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Earth.
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Do you trust professionals who share their personal life and pop culture interests on social media?
