Blue Origin has marked a significant moment in space tourism history by completing a successful flight with an all-female crew aboard its New Shepard rocket.
The mission, designated NS-31, represents the company’s 11th human spaceflight and its 31st overall mission.
Taking off early Monday from Van Horn, Texas, the flight carried six accomplished women: aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe; human rights advocate Amanda Nguyen; television presenter Gayle King; global pop icon Katy Perry; film producer Kerianne Flynn; and Lauren Sánchez, known for her work as a TV host, author, philanthropist, and fiancée to Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin.
This suborbital mission, which lasted just over 10 minutes, propelled the crew past the Kármán line—an altitude of about 62 miles that is often recognized as the edge of space.
During their brief journey, the crew experienced several minutes of weightlessness before their capsule safely descended back to Earth, landing gently in the Texas desert.
Upon landing, Jeff Bezos personally welcomed the returning astronauts, opening the capsule door and embracing Sánchez, who was visibly emotional. “Earth looked so— it was so quiet. It was just quiet,” Sánchez shared in awe of her experience.
Bowe, deeply moved by her time in space, reflected: “I will never be the same. There’s no boundaries, no border. There’s just Earth.”
Nguyen, a survivor of sexual assault, brought a deeply personal item aboard — the hospital bracelet she wore during her recovery — using it as a “zero G” indicator to float in microgravity. She explained it served as a powerful symbol: “Never, never give up.”
Both King and Perry celebrated their return by kissing the ground. Perry, in a touching gesture, brought along a daisy to honour her daughter, Daisy. “This experience is second to being a mom,” she said.
During the flight, Perry performed “It’s A Wonderful World,” capturing the moment’s significance. “It’s not about me; it’s not about singing my songs,” she noted. “It’s about a collective energy.”
This mission highlights Blue Origin’s commitment to diversity and making space travel more inclusive. It is a landmark moment not only for the participants but for women in aerospace and beyond.
See photos below:
