In a historic moment for space exploration, Blue Origin's all-female crew embarked on an 11-minute suborbital flight on April 14, 2025, drawing both applause and criticism. The mission, which marked the first all-female spaceflight crew since 1963, included notable figures such as actress Katy Perry, CBS Mornings host Gayle King, philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. As the mission concluded, discussions surrounding its significance and implications quickly emerged.
Jessica Alba, co-founder of The Honest Company, took to Instagram on April 16 to defend the mission against critics. She shared a post from Ana Navarro, a political strategist and co-host of The View, who urged followers to redirect their criticism towards political issues, specifically mentioning former President Donald Trump. Navarro expressed her frustration with the backlash against the women involved, stating, "I’ve seen endless criticism of five women doing their space thing. I can’t see how it affects our lives." Alba echoed her sentiments with a simple response, "This," accompanied by a finger emoji pointing to Navarro's comments.
The flight, which took off from Blue Origin's Launch Site One in Van Horn, Texas, has sparked a variety of reactions. While some celebrities have praised the mission, others have voiced their concerns. Olivia Munn, during an episode of Jenna & Friends, called the flight "gluttonous," questioning its purpose given pressing issues on Earth. Similarly, Amy Schumer mocked the mission, while Emily Ratajkowski expressed being "disgusted" by the venture. However, Gayle King defended the mission, stating, "Anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here." King emphasized that the flight represents hope and inspiration for young women, a sentiment echoed by other crew members.
Lauren Sánchez, engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, encouraged critics to look at the positive work being done by the company. "I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don't just work here but they put their heart and soul into this vehicle," she said. The mission's aim, according to Blue Origin, is to leverage space resources to benefit Earth and expand humanity's presence in space.
Founded by Bezos in 2000, Blue Origin has focused on making space travel more accessible. The New Shepard rocket, which completed its 31st mission with this flight, is designed for human spaceflight and is fully reusable. Each trip allows astronauts to ascend at speeds exceeding three times the speed of sound, crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, before experiencing a brief period of weightlessness.
For the crew, the reasons for participating in this mission were deeply personal. Katy Perry expressed a desire to inspire her daughter, Daisy, to pursue her dreams without limitations. "I want to remind her to never have limits on her dreams and show her that any type of person can reach their dreams—no matter your background, your ethnicity, your economic situation, or your education level," Perry stated. Gayle King shared her hopes of encouraging others to step outside their comfort zones, while Amanda Nguyen, who previously worked at NASA, aimed to honor her past self before her experiences with gender-based violence.
Preparations for the flight included rigorous training. Each crew member participated in training sessions at the launch site, familiarizing themselves with the capsule and safety protocols. Aisha Bowe revealed that she had been training intensively, including completing a NASTAR simulation, while Kerianne Flynn undertook several zero-gravity simulation flights to acclimatize to the sensation of weightlessness.
As for personal items, the crew was allowed to bring a few belongings. Gayle King opted for photographs, while Lauren Sánchez brought a stuffed animal from her children's book. Aisha Bowe carried the Apollo 12 flag, a historic object that symbolizes her journey. Amanda Nguyen included several personal items, such as her mother's shells from her family's homeland and the pen used by former President Barack Obama to sign the Sexual Assault Survivors' Act.
The mission, while celebrated as a step forward for women in space, has ignited a larger discussion about the ethics of space travel and its implications for society. Critics argue that the resources devoted to such missions could be better spent addressing pressing issues on Earth. Olivia Munn's comments encapsulated this sentiment, asking, "What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous."
Despite the backlash, many in the crew, including Gayle King, believe that the mission transcends individual criticism. "This is so much bigger than one man and one company," King said, referring to Bezos. "I’ve chosen to separate the two. It’s not a zero-sum game. You can do this on one hand and this on the other hand, and both things can be true."
The Blue Origin flight not only marked a significant milestone in space exploration but also served as a platform for broader conversations about women's empowerment, environmental sustainability, and the responsibilities that come with advancements in technology. As the world continues to grapple with these issues, the voices of those involved in the mission are likely to resonate for years to come.
