Chicago Star Founder Elaine Hyde will make history on Blue Origin space flight

The founder of news and marketing company Chicago Star Media is heading to the stars. Elaine Hyde is a dual citizen of the United States and Australia. She is set to make history as the first Australian woman and Singaporean-born person to journey to space. Elaine will be a part of a six-person crew on Blue Origin’s tenth human flight that will launch on Tuesday, February 25 at 9:30 a.m. CST from Van Horn, TX.

Elaine’s work at Chicago Star has shined a light on many individuals who have made the city so special. She credits her work here for opening up the opportunity to go to space. “Chicago Star is a place where everyone’s story is told in a positive way,” Elaine says. “It has created a lot of goodwill since its inception. The whole city truly came together to help make it a success. My upcoming flight to space couldn’t have been possible without so many people helping me along the way.” 

Chicago Star began as a neighborhood print newspaper focused on uplifting positive news. In her twenties, Elaine personally delivered newspapers to 300 locations across Chicago. Under her leadership, the company became a prominent communications services firm that gave back to the community and supported many local non-profit organizations. She named the company Chicago Star because of her love of astronomy and stargazing.

At 10 years old, Elaine was first captivated by the idea of space exploration after hearing an astronaut speak at her elementary school. Her passion for space was further fueled by attending a week at Space Camp when she was 16.

A graduate of the University of Melbourne, Elaine studied business and physics, aiming to develop experiments for space. Her ambition led her to the United States, where she worked as an intern in the astrophysics laboratories at the University of Pennsylvania.

Elaine currently leads Eastside Enterprises, a research and development company specializing in AI-assisted media products. As a firm believer in the power of words and positive communication, she explains how talking about her goals has helped her stay on track. “I never stopped talking about my ambition,” Elaine recalls. “Even when I was in offices wearing business suits or hitting the pavement delivering papers, it felt so farfetched then, but I told myself I would do it one day and it kept the dream alive.”

As a pioneer in the new age of commercial space travel, Elaine hopes to use her upcoming flight to inspire others to reach for the stars.

Elaine’s journey will be broadcast live on Blue Origin’s YouTube channel and on Blue Origin’s website.  

Learn more about Elaine Hyde on her official website SpaceElaine.com, and follow her on Facebook and Instagram.