On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin made history with the successful launch and return of its first all-women crew aboard the New Shepard spacecraft. The six-person team included notable figures like singer Katy Perry, CBS anchor Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez—journalist and fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.
This landmark mission, named NS-31, lasted approximately 11 minutes. The spacecraft briefly exited Earth’s atmosphere, crossing the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space located 62 miles above Earth’s surface.
Emotional Return to Earth
After their brief journey to space, the capsule returned to West Texas, landing safely under parachutes. The emotional moment saw Katy Perry and Gayle King kissing the ground, visibly overwhelmed and grateful to be back on Earth.
Lauren Sánchez jokingly mentioned her upcoming wedding to Jeff Bezos, saying, “I had to come back—we’re getting married! If I didn’t come back, that would be a bummer.”
Awe and Reflection Among the Crew
For Aisha Bowe, who dreamed of going to space since childhood, the experience was surreal. She described the liftoff and the shared silence in orbit as a deeply emotional and bonding moment.
“When we unbuckled and floated, we all just looked at each other,” she said. “There was this moment of connection—it was beautiful.”
Gayle King, despite her fear of flying, said she had no regrets. “It’s oddly quiet when you get up there,” she said, noting the perspective it gave her on Earth. “It really made me think we need to do better.” She added, “We are forever bonded. It’s a true sisterhood.”
Katy Perry even sang “What a Wonderful World” on the descent, explaining that it felt instinctual and symbolic of their mission’s message—hope, unity, and love for Earth.
Personal Tokens and Family Support
Katy Perry brought a daisy flower to space, inspired by her daughter Daisy Dove. “Daisies grow in any condition. They remind us of resilience and beauty in simplicity,” she said.
Kerianne Flynn, a mother herself, was motivated to inspire her son and challenge the notion that “moms don’t go to space.”
The women were cheered on by their families and friends. Oprah Winfrey attended the launch to support Gayle King, along with King’s children, Kirby and William. Jeff Bezos was also there and joined the crew briefly before the launch to wish them luck.
Blue Origin’s Vision and the New Shepard Rocket
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, aims to make space travel more accessible and sustainable. The company is working on reusable rocket technology to reduce the cost of spaceflight and build a future where millions of people can live and work in space.
New Shepard, named after Alan Shepard—the first American in space—is a fully autonomous, suborbital rocket that can carry six people. This mission, NS-31, marked New Shepard’s 31st flight and its 11th human voyage.
The Journey to Space: Timeline and Experience
The crew launched from Launch Site One, located in the Guadalupe Mountains of West Texas. The launch window opened at 8:30 a.m. CDT. After reaching speeds over three times the speed of sound, the rocket carried them to the Kármán line. There, the crew unbuckled, floated in zero gravity, and observed Earth from space before returning to the ground—total flight time: approximately 11 minutes.
Why These Women Chose to Go to Space
Each crew member had a personal reason for joining the mission:
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Katy Perry wanted to show her daughter that dreams have no limits, regardless of background or education.
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Gayle King, despite her fears, wanted to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones.
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Amanda Nguyen, a survivor of sexual assault and the author of the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights, saw the mission as reclaiming a dream deferred. “I gave up astronomy to fight for my rights. Now, I get to honor the girl I was before I was hurt,” she said.
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Aisha Bowe wanted to represent women in STEM and serve as a role model for future generations.
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Kerianne Flynn wanted to prove to her son—and others—that mothers belong in space.
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Lauren Sánchez aimed to amplify the stories of women and their place in the space industry.
Extensive Training Before the Launch
The team underwent several days of intensive training before launch, including capsule simulations, safety briefings, and suit fittings.
Some members prepared far in advance:
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Aisha Bowe completed a NASTAR simulation and a fighter jet flight to physically prepare for the forces of launch.
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Kerianne Flynn participated in zero-gravity flights inside a Boeing 747 to simulate weightlessness and also completed G-force training.
Special Items Brought Aboard
Each crew member brought meaningful personal items:
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Gayle King brought photos of her loved ones.
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Lauren Sánchez carried a stuffed animal version of the character from her children’s book.
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Aisha Bowe brought the Apollo 12 flag, plant samples, and Bahamian conch chowder to honor her heritage.
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Amanda Nguyen brought her mother’s shells from Vietnam, the pen President Obama used to sign her landmark bill, and a note saying “Never ever give up.”
Public Reactions and Celebrity Support
Many stars sent well-wishes to the crew. CBS Mornings aired a send-off video featuring Tom Hanks, Drew Barrymore, Bill Nye, and Megan Rapinoe cheering on Gayle King.
However, some criticism also emerged. Actress Olivia Munn questioned the mission’s relevance and cost. “Why are they doing this? People can’t even afford eggs,” she said, calling the flight “gluttonous.”
In response, Gayle King acknowledged public concern but emphasized the broader value. “Yes, Jeff Bezos has made questionable decisions, but this mission is bigger than one man. I chose to separate the two. Both things can be true.”
A New Chapter in Space History
This mission is the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space. Amanda Nguyen became the first Vietnamese woman in space, and Aisha Bowe, the first person of Bahamian descent.
“This representation really matters,” Bowe said. “People need to see themselves in these spaces to believe they belong.”
Lauren Sánchez summed it up perfectly: “These women are storytellers. They’re going to go up to space and return to Earth with the stories that can change the world.”
