Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its first all-female crew into space on April 14, 2025.
This historic flight, the first of its kind since 1963, featured pop icon Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and four other inspiring women, including Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez.
The 10-minute journey aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket took them beyond the Kármán line, marking a new chapter in inclusivity and exploration.
Table of Contents
The Historic Launch: A New Era for Space Tourism
1. A Flight Decades in the Making
The Blue Origin NS-31 mission, launched from West Texas, was a landmark event—the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963.
Taking off at 9:30 a.m. ET, the New Shepard rocket soared at three times the speed of sound, reaching an altitude of 346,802 feet (106 km) above ground level, crossing the Kármán line at 62 miles (100 km), the internationally recognized boundary of space.
Mission Duration: The suborbital flight lasted just over 10 minutes.
Weightlessness: The crew experienced a few minutes of microgravity, floating freely in the capsule.
Safe Landing: The capsule returned to the Texas desert, slowed by parachutes and a retro rocket, ensuring a gentle touchdown.
2. The All-Female Crew: A Diverse Lineup
The six women aboard the NS-31 mission represented a mix of talent, ambition, and inspiration, showcasing diversity across entertainment, journalism, science, and activism.
Katy Perry: The global pop star headlined the mission, bringing a daisy to space as a symbol of resilience for her daughter and young girls everywhere.
Lauren Sánchez: An Emmy-winning journalist and Bezos’ fiancée, Sánchez helped design the crew’s spacesuits and led the mission with a focus on inspiring future generations.
Gayle King: The “CBS Mornings” co-host overcame her fear of flying, emphasizing the mission’s impact on accessibility and empowerment.
Aisha Bowe: A former NASA rocket scientist and the first Bahamian in space, Bowe highlighted the beauty of Earth from above.
Amanda Nguyen: A bioastronautics researcher and civil rights activist, Nguyen became the first Vietnamese woman in space, dedicating her journey to survivors of sexual violence.
Kerianne Flynn: A film producer, Flynn brought a creative perspective, celebrating the camaraderie of the crew.
The Journey: From Liftoff to Landing
1. Pre-Launch Moments
The day began early in Culberson County, Texas, with media arriving at 2:30 a.m. CT.
The New Shepard rocket stood ready on the launch pad, a symbol of innovation against the West Texas sunrise.
Jeff Bezos personally accompanied the crew to the launch site, radioing words of encouragement: “I’m super excited for you… I love you all. See you soon. Godspeed.”
2. The Flight Experience
At 9:30 a.m. ET, the rocket ignited, lifting off with a roar.
The capsule separated at 250,000 feet, allowing the crew to float weightlessly for about three minutes.
3. The Return to Earth
The reusable booster landed vertically in the desert, followed by a sonic boom that thrilled onlookers.
The capsule descended under parachutes, touching down northeast of the launch site.
Reflections from the Crew: A Transformative Experience
1. Katy Perry: A Journey of Love and Inspiration
Katy Perry rated the experience a “10 out of 10,” second only to motherhood. She spoke of feeling “super connected to love” and brought a daisy to symbolize resilience.
Quote: “Daisies are common flowers, but they grow through any condition. They are resilient. They are powerful. They are strong.”
Impact: Perry aimed to inspire young girls, saying, “You’re brave, you’re bold… I’ll go to space in the future.”
2. Lauren Sánchez: Joy and Gratitude
Sánchez described Earth as looking “quiet but also so alive,” expressing profound gratitude to the engineers and scientists who made the mission possible.
Quote: “I feel I don’t even know how much it’s going to change me… I felt joy and gratefulness.”
3. Gayle King: Overcoming Fear
King, who had been vocal about her fear of flying, found the experience peaceful, reflecting on the need to “do better, be better” for Earth.
Quote: “I stepped out of my comfort zone in a way I never thought was possible for me. Now that I’ve done it, I really do feel like I can take on anything.”
4. Aisha Bowe: A Changed Perspective
As the first Bahamian in space, Bowe was struck by Earth’s borderless beauty, describing a deep connection with her crewmates.
Quote: “I will never be the same… There was this moment—and I can’t wait for people to see it on the video—but there was a very special moment between all of us.”
5. Amanda Nguyen: A Message of Hope
Nguyen, a rape survivor, used her journey to uplift others, bringing a hospital wristband as her zero-gravity indicator.
Quote: “I just want every survivor and every person who’s ever had a dream deferred to know that your dreams are valid… If I can get there, you can get there too.”
6. Kerianne Flynn: Emotional Celebration
Flynn, the last to exit, threw her arms up in triumph, later tearfully sharing her gratitude for the experience.
Behind the Scenes: The Technology and Team
1. The New Shepard Rocket
The New Shepard, named after astronaut Alan Shepard, is a fully reusable suborbital vehicle designed for short trips to space.
Autonomous Design: The rocket flies without a pilot, landing vertically after each mission.
Altitude Achieved: The NS-31 mission reached 350,449 feet (107 km) above mean sea level.
Safety Features: Parachutes and retro rockets ensure a safe capsule landing.
2. The Crew’s Preparation
The women underwent training in Texas, with Lauren Sánchez announcing plans for the all-female flight back in 2023.
They wore custom spacesuits designed by Sánchez and the Monse fashion house, blending style with functionality.
3. Jeff Bezos’ Role
Bezos, who flew on Blue Origin’s first crewed mission in 2021, played a personal role, greeting the crew post-landing and famously face-planting in the dirt while rushing to embrace Sánchez.
Challenges and Criticisms of Space Tourism
1. Public Perception
While the mission inspired many, some critics on X questioned the value of space tourism, viewing it as a luxury for the wealthy.
Gayle King countered this narrative, arguing that making space accessible isn’t a “zero-sum game” and can coexist with efforts to improve life on Earth.
2. Cost and Accessibility
Blue Origin has not disclosed ticket prices, but competitor Virgin Galactic’s $650,000 fee suggests a high cost.
This raises questions about true accessibility, despite the company’s vision.
3. Environmental Concerns
Space tourism’s environmental impact remains a topic of debate, with rocket launches contributing to carbon emissions.
Blue Origin and similar companies face pressure to innovate sustainably.
Why This Mission Matters in 2025
1. Breaking Gender Barriers
The all-female crew shattered a 62-year gap, proving that space is for everyone.
This mission aligns with 2025’s global push for gender equality in STEM and exploration.
2. Inspiring Future Explorers
By featuring high-profile figures like Katy Perry alongside scientists like Aisha Bowe, the mission bridges entertainment and education, motivating young dreamers to pursue space-related careers.
3. Advancing Space Tourism
As Blue Origin completes its 11th human flight, the industry moves closer to normalizing space travel, paving the way for more diverse crews and missions in the future.
A New Frontier for All
Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight on April 14, 2025, was more than a 10-minute trip—it was a historic step toward inclusivity, inspiration, and innovation.
From Katy Perry’s heartfelt reflections to Amanda Nguyen’s empowering message, the crew’s journey resonated with millions, proving that dreams, even as wild as space travel, are achievable.
As space tourism grows, Blue Origin continues to redefine exploration, making the cosmos a place for everyone.
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