Blue Origin launched a historic first all-female crew on the New Shepard NS-31 space tourism mission on April 14, 2025. The 11-minute suborbital flight took off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One near Van Horn, Texas, reaching an altitude of approximately 62 miles above Earth.
Welcome to West Texas, NS-31 crew! pic.twitter.com/8dFPqiaiZW
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 13, 2025
The historic crew included pop icon Katy Perry, journalist and pilot Lauren Sánchez, “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist and astrophysicist Amanda Nguyen, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn. This mission marks the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo journey in 1963.
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Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim made a pair of handmade flying suits for the Monse team, which was worn for the first time before the launch. The flame-resistant, sleek neoprene suits were made to combine style and science progress.
Lauren Sánchez, who coordinated the trip and is engaged to Blue Origin creator Jeff Bezos, underlined the objective of the mission to encourage the next generations, especially young females, to follow interests in STEM sectors. “We hope this trip demonstrates that everyone has space,” Sánchez said.
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NS-31 launch day is here!
➡️ Live webcast: Begins at 7 a.m. CDT
➡️ Launch window: Opens at 8:30 a.m. CDT
➡️ https://t.co/TRUdJLGeBb pic.twitter.com/U1Pqe2LthC— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025
While the motive and presentation of the objective have been commended, some critics argue that the focus on gender would overwhelm more overall objectives of space exploration. Still, the NS-31 journey signifies a sea change in the evolving scenario of commercial space flight. The all-female crew Blue Origin honors past trailblazers and paves the way forward for more inclusive space exploration.