A historic moment for space tourism as Blue Origin sends its first all-female crew, featuring celebrities and accomplished professionals, on a suborbital flight.
[VAN HORN, TEXAS] – April 14, 2025 – Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its NS-31 mission on April 14th, marking a significant milestone in the burgeoning space tourism industry. The mission, launched at 9:30 AM local time, sent six female astronauts aboard the New Shepard rocket on a brief but exhilarating journey to space, reaching an altitude of over 100 kilometers before returning to Earth approximately 11 minutes later.
This mission is particularly noteworthy as it marks the first all-female astronaut crew since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo spaceflight in 1963, a landmark achievement for the Soviet Union’s space program. The diverse crew consisted of:
- Katy Perry: The globally renowned pop superstar, known as Fruit Sister in some circles, adding a touch of celebrity glamour to the mission.
- Lauren Sánchez: Philanthropist, businesswoman, and Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, demonstrating a commitment to space exploration and inspiring future generations.
- Gayle King: Veteran journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, bringing her insightful perspective and journalistic expertise to document the experience.
- Aisha Brown: Accomplished scientist, contributing valuable knowledge and expertise to the mission’s scientific objectives.
- Amanda Nguyen: Biomedical engineer, whose research in bioastronautics aims to improve the health and safety of space travelers.
- Kelianne Flynn: Filmmaker and activist, capturing the mission’s essence and advocating for greater access to space for all.
The New Shepard rocket, designed for repeated use, features both a reusable booster and a crew capsule. Passengers aboard experience approximately four minutes of weightlessness, offering a unique perspective of the Earth’s curvature against the backdrop of space through the capsule’s panoramic windows. The flight is fully automated, eliminating the need for a pilot onboard.
This NS-31 mission represents Blue Origin’s 11th crewed space tourism flight. The company’s previous mission, which took place on February 25, 2025, saw its crew dub themselves the Perfect 10. Blue Origin’s commitment to providing access to space for a wider audience continues to drive innovation and excitement within the space tourism sector.
Conclusion:
Blue Origin’s successful launch of the all-female NS-31 mission represents a significant step forward for both the company and the space tourism industry. By including individuals from diverse backgrounds, from pop stars to scientists, Blue Origin is demonstrating the potential for space exploration to inspire and unite people from all walks of life. This mission not only provides a thrilling experience for its participants but also paves the way for future advancements in space travel and scientific discovery. As space tourism continues to evolve, it will be crucial to address issues of accessibility, sustainability, and ethical considerations to ensure that the benefits of space exploration are shared by all.
References:
- IT之家. (2025, April 14). 蓝色起源首次执行全女性宇航员任务，“水果姐”凯蒂・佩里等人上太空 [Blue Origin Launches All-Female Crew, Including Katy Perry, into Space]. Retrieved from [Insert original article URL here]
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