In a historic moment for space travel, pop star Katy Perry and five other women launched into space on April 14, 2025, aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket, marking the first all-female crew to undertake such a journey in over 60 years. This groundbreaking mission, known as NS-31, was funded by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin and Amazon, and took off from the company's launch site in Van Horn, Texas.
The crew, handpicked by Lauren Sánchez, Bezos's fiancée and a prominent journalist, included notable figures such as Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist; Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and bioastronautics research scientist; and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer. This all-female flight is particularly significant as it comes more than six decades after Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly in space in 1963.
The launch was scheduled for 8:30 a.m. local central time (2:30 p.m. in the UK) and was streamed live, attracting a global audience eager to witness this momentous occasion. The flight lasted approximately 10 minutes, with the crew experiencing about four minutes of weightlessness as they soared above the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space located at 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth.
Katy Perry, who has long dreamed of space travel, expressed her excitement in an Instagram video, stating, "I’ve dreamt of going to space for 15 years and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality. I am so honoured to be alongside five other incredible and inspiring women as we become the first ever all-female flight space crew!" Perry also hinted at her plans to sing during the flight, showcasing her enthusiasm for the unique experience.
As the crew prepared for liftoff, they underwent training and familiarization with the capsule. Perry shared that she had been reading Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" and studying string theory to mentally prepare for the journey. Her passion for astrophysics and her desire to inspire future generations, particularly young girls, were evident as she stated, "I’m really excited about the engineering of it all. I’m excited to learn more about STEM and just the math about what it takes to accomplish this type of thing."
The launch was not without its critics. Some observers, including actress Olivia Munn, questioned the motivations behind the all-female flight, suggesting it might serve as a promotional tool for Bezos's commercial space venture. Munn remarked, "I know this is not the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now. What are you guys going to do up in space?" Despite such criticisms, the mission was celebrated by many as a significant step toward gender equality in space exploration.
Following the successful launch, the six women experienced the thrill of weightlessness, floating inside the capsule as they gazed out at the Earth below. Amanda Nguyen, who is also a survivor’s advocate, described her emotional experience, saying, "I’m so grateful to the thousands of people — the engineers, scientists, everyone — who has made this a reality." Her sentiments were echoed by her crewmates, who expressed a mix of joy and gratitude throughout the flight.
Upon their return, the capsule touched down safely in the Texas desert, greeted by cheers from family and friends, including Bezos himself, who was present to welcome the crew back to Earth. The landing was described as smooth, with the capsule deploying parachutes to ensure a gentle descent. "Congratulations and welcome back to Earth," mission control radioed to the crew as they touched down.
As they exited the capsule, the crew members were met with emotional reunions. Lauren Sánchez was the first to embrace Bezos, while Perry kissed the ground in gratitude for the experience. Gayle King, overcome with emotion, fell to her knees, also kissing the ground, while Amanda Nguyen and Aisha Bowe celebrated their return with enthusiasm.
The NS-31 mission is part of Blue Origin's broader goal of making space travel accessible to more people. Since its inaugural crewed flight in July 2021, Blue Origin has conducted several missions, each aimed at advancing commercial space tourism. The company has faced scrutiny over the cost of tickets, which are believed to start at around $150,000, but it has also offered opportunities for celebrities and other notable figures to fly as guests.
Jeff Bezos, who flew on the first crewed mission, expressed his excitement for the all-female crew, stating, "I love this crew!" His enthusiasm for the mission was evident as he addressed the crew before their flight, saying, "I’m super excited for you. I don’t want to get off. I want to go with you. When you get back, I can’t wait to hear how it’s changed you. Godspeed."
The successful completion of the NS-31 flight not only highlights the advancements in commercial space travel but also serves as a powerful reminder of the strides being made toward gender equality in a field traditionally dominated by men. With only 14% of all astronauts being women, the significance of this mission resonates beyond the immediate thrill of space travel. It symbolizes a new era where women can take the lead in exploration and innovation.
As the world watches the developments in space tourism, the NS-31 mission stands out as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations. The journey of these six women may pave the way for more inclusive representation in space, encouraging young girls everywhere to dream big and reach for the stars.
