Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launched successfully on Monday, April 14, 2025, carrying a historic all-female crew into space. The mission included high-profile passengers such as pop star Katy Perry, television host Gayle King, and Jeff Bezos' fiancée, Lauren Sanchez. This marked the first all-female space mission since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova flew solo in 1963.
The New Shepard 31 flight took off from West Texas at 9:30 AM ET, reaching an altitude of approximately 62 miles above Earth, just above the Kármán Line, which marks the boundary of space. The journey lasted about 11 minutes, during which the crew experienced around four minutes of weightlessness. Upon their return, the capsule landed safely in the Texas desert, greeted by cheers from onlookers.
As the rocket ascended, the crew could be heard screaming in excitement, capturing the thrill of the moment. Perry, who donned a glamorous body-hugging spacesuit, described the experience as “the highest high” and expressed her emotions by singing Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" during the flight. She explained, "It’s not about me. It’s about a collective energy in there. It’s about us and making space for future women and taking up space and belonging. This is all for the benefit of Earth." Perry's sentiments echoed the mission's broader goal of inspiring women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Joining Perry and Sanchez were Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and bioastronautics researcher; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA engineer; and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer and activist. Each of these women has made significant contributions to their respective fields, and Sanchez specifically chose them for their ability to inspire others. "Each one is a storyteller in her own way," Sanchez said, highlighting the importance of representation in space exploration.
Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian were among the notable attendees at the launch site, showing their support for the crew. Winfrey, visibly emotional, shed tears as she watched King embark on her journey. "We’re here to support our girlfriend and our friends, and I never thought that we’d be talking to you from a space launch for sure," Jenner remarked.
The mission also included various experiments conducted for universities and science organizations. The crew carried postcards from fans, which will be returned to them after the flight. This initiative is part of Blue Origin's ongoing effort to engage the public in space exploration.
Despite the celebration, the launch was not without its hiccups. Bezos, who was present to greet the returning astronauts, tripped and fell face-first into a ditch while rushing to the landing site. Fortunately, he was unharmed and quickly joined the crew in their post-flight celebrations.
After landing, Perry and her crewmates expressed their joy and relief. Nguyen, who has spoken about her own journey of healing from trauma, described the experience as an opportunity to "heal" from her past. Flynn cheered, "This mum went to space!" as they exited the capsule.
Reflecting on the mission, King stated, "It’s a reminder that we need to do better, be better," emphasizing the importance of kindness and peace in today’s world. She admitted to feeling nervous before the flight but found the experience to be "quiet and peaceful."
As the first all-female crew in over 60 years, this mission is a significant milestone in the history of space travel. It highlights the progress being made in the field, even as women still represent only about 15% of all individuals who have traveled to space.
Blue Origin has been conducting commercial space launches since 2015, and this flight marks the 31st mission for the New Shepard vehicle. The company was founded by Bezos with the goal of making space travel accessible to more people. Although ticket prices are not publicly disclosed, previous flights have seen seats auctioned for millions of dollars.
The success of this mission not only celebrates the achievements of women in space but also serves as an inspiration for future generations. As Perry aptly put it, "We are going to put the ‘ass’ in astronaut." With the launch of the New Shepard rocket, Blue Origin continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in commercial space travel.
