Blue Origin’s All-Female Crew Lands Safely After Historic Spaceflight

West Texas, April 14, 2025 – In a landmark moment for space exploration and gender representation, Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-31 mission safely returned to Earth today, carrying an all-female crew that included global pop icon Katy Perry, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, and four other accomplished women. The 10-minute, 21-second suborbital flight marked the first all-female space mission since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963, underscoring a new era of inclusivity in commercial space travel.

The mission launched at 8:30 a.m. CDT from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in the West Texas desert, soaring past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth. Aboard the fully autonomous New Shepard rocket, the six women experienced approximately three minutes of weightlessness, floating freely in the capsule and marveling at the curvature of Earth against the vastness of space. The capsule then descended under parachutes, touching down gently in the Texas desert to cheers from family, friends, and Blue Origin staff.

A Star-Studded and Diverse Crew

The NS-31 crew was a remarkable blend of talent, expertise, and inspiration, handpicked by Lauren Sánchez, a helicopter pilot, Emmy Award-winning journalist, and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. Sánchez, who is also engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, led the mission with a vision to highlight women’s contributions across industries. Joining her were:

Katy Perry, the chart-topping singer-songwriter with over 115 billion streams, who called the experience “surreal” and a dream she’d held for 15 years. Perry prepared for the flight by diving into astrophysics, reading Carl Sagan’s Cosmos, and reflecting on humanity’s connection to the stars. “We’re all made of stardust,” she said before the launch, emphasizing her hope to inspire young girls, including her daughter, Daisy, to dream without limits.
Gayle King, the award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, who embraced the challenge as a new frontier. Known for her storytelling, King kissed the ground upon landing, a gesture that captured the crew’s awe and gratitude.
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and CEO of STEMBoard, who brought technical expertise and a passion for STEM advocacy. Bowe described the weightless moment as life-changing, saying, “You could just feel the energy in the capsule. We all looked at each other, and it was pure joy.”
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics researcher and civil rights activist who worked on NASA’s Kepler mission. As the first Vietnamese woman in space, Nguyen highlighted the mission as a symbol of science fostering peace and possibility.
Kerianne Flynn, a filmmaker and community advocate, who saw the flight as a chance to tell stories that inspire future generations. Flynn hoped her journey would encourage others to pursue bold dreams.

The crew’s diversity—spanning entertainment, journalism, science, activism, and filmmaking—reflected Blue Origin’s aim to make space accessible to a broader range of voices. Their mission patch, designed to honor each woman’s legacy, featured symbols of their contributions, from musical notes for Perry to a helicopter for Sánchez.

A Milestone for Blue Origin and Space Tourism

The NS-31 mission was Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight and the 31st overall for the New Shepard program, which has been offering suborbital tourism experiences since Jeff Bezos himself flew on the inaugural crewed flight in 2021. The reusable rocket, powered by a single BE-3PM engine, reached speeds exceeding three times the speed of sound before the capsule separated, allowing the crew to float weightlessly. The booster then executed a controlled landing back on the pad, slowing to just 6 miles per hour, while the capsule returned via parachutes.

Blue Origin described the flight as a historic step toward gender diversity in space, a sentiment echoed by the crew. “This isn’t just about going to space—it’s about breaking boundaries and showing young girls what’s possible,” Perry said in a pre-flight interview. Sánchez, who collaborated with fashion brand Monse to redesign the women’s space suits, added that the mission was personal: “I wanted to bring together women who inspire me, who are fearless.”

The flight drew praise from figures like Jared Isaacman, a billionaire astronaut and Donald Trump’s pick to lead NASA, who posted on X: “Opening this incredible frontier—from the few to the many—is the dream.” However, it also sparked debate. Critics, including actor Olivia Munn, questioned the mission’s cost and its ties to Blue Origin’s commercial goals, arguing that space tourism remains a privilege of the elite. Blue Origin has not disclosed whether the crew paid for their seats or received complimentary rides, though past flights have required deposits starting at $150,000, with one seat auctioned for $28 million.

A Moment of Joy and Reflection

As the capsule hatch opened, Jeff Bezos was there to greet Sánchez and her crewmates, though he humorously stumbled into a ditch in his excitement, a lighthearted moment captured on Blue Origin’s livestream. Perry, one of the first to exit, knelt to kiss the desert ground, echoing King’s earlier gesture. The women shared hugs and laughter, their faces radiant with the “Overview Effect”—the profound shift in perspective often reported by astronauts who see Earth from space.

“It’s hard to put into words,” Bowe said. “You feel this connection to our planet, this camaraderie with each other. I’ll never be the same.” Nguyen, reflecting on her Vietnamese heritage, called the experience a bridge between cultures and generations. Flynn spoke of carrying 300 bracelets for children into space, a symbolic gesture to inspire youth, while Perry revealed she brought a daisy from Earth to remind her of the planet’s fragility and beauty.

Looking Ahead

The NS-31 mission is a high-profile milestone for Blue Origin, which, alongside SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, is shaping the future of commercial spaceflight. While suborbital trips like this one offer brief glimpses of space, they’re paving the way for more accessible missions, with technology evolving to lower costs over time. For now, the all-female crew’s journey stands as a beacon of progress, proving that space is no longer reserved for a select few.

As Perry put it, “Maybe we’ll never be royals—but today, we’re astronauts.” For young dreamers watching, that message may just redefine what’s possible.