Jeff Bezo’s Blue Origin is set to make history with its upcoming rocket mission, which will feature an all-female crew for the first time.
The mission, announced on Thursday, will include six women from diverse backgrounds, including pop superstar Katy Perry, renowned journalist Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and licensed pilot Lauren Sánchez, who is also Jeff Bezos’s fiancée.
The flight, scheduled for this spring, will be Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight using its New Shepard capsule. Since 2021, the spacecraft has successfully carried 52 people beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.
However, this mission is unique as it marks the first time an entirely female crew will venture into space since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963.
Lauren Sánchez, who played a crucial role in assembling the team, expressed her excitement about the mission’s significance.
“This flight isn’t just about making history—it’s about inspiring young girls and women around the world to dream big,” Sánchez said. “We want to show them that there are no limits to what they can achieve.”
Gayle King, the veteran broadcaster, also shared her enthusiasm. “I never imagined I’d have the opportunity to go to space,” King said.
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I hope it encourages more women to explore careers in science, technology, and aviation.”
Amanda Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and advocate for civil rights, highlighted the mission’s broader impact.
“This flight represents progress,” she stated. “Women have played a vital role in space exploration for decades, but they haven’t always been in the spotlight. This mission helps change that narrative.”
On her part, Katy Perry, known for her chart-topping hits and philanthropic efforts, expressed her enthusiasm for the mission.
In a heartfelt post, she wrote, “If you had told me that I would be part of the first ever all-female crew in space, I would have believed you. Nothing was beyond my imagination as a child.”
She continued, “I work hard to live my life that way still, and I am motivated more than ever to be an example for my daughter that women should take up space (pun intended).”
Perry also emphasized the broader impact of the mission, stating, “That’s why this opportunity is so incredible — so that I can show all of the youngest & most vulnerable among us to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively.”
Blue Origin’s New Shepard system is designed for suborbital space tourism, offering passengers a brief but exhilarating experience beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
The upcoming flight will last approximately 10 minutes, allowing the crew to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and witness the curvature of the Earth from space.
