Historic All-Female Crew, Including Katy Perry and Gayle King, Launches on Blue Origin’s New Shepard

April 14, 2025 – In a landmark moment for space tourism, Blue Origin successfully launched its NS-31 mission today at 9:30 a.m. ET from its West Texas facility, carrying the first all-female crew to the edge of space. The six-member crew aboard the New Shepard rocket included global pop icon Katy Perry, renowned journalist Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez, award-winning journalist and partner of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos. This 11-minute suborbital flight marked Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight and the first all-female crewed mission since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963.

A Diverse and Trailblazing Crew

The NS-31 crew represented a remarkable blend of talent, influence, and expertise, showcasing the democratizing potential of commercial space travel. Katy Perry, known for hits like “Firework” and “Roar,” brought her star power to the mission, fulfilling a lifelong fascination with the cosmos—evident in her space-themed music videos and performances. Gayle King, co-anchor of CBS Mornings and a media trailblazer, added a journalistic lens, eager to share the transformative experience with her audience. Amanda Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and founder of Rise, represented advocacy, having fought for survivors’ rights and AAPI representation globally.

Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and founder of STEMBoard, brought technical expertise and a passion for inspiring underrepresented youth in STEM fields. Kerianne Flynn, a film producer with a focus on storytelling, aimed to capture the emotional weight of the journey. Rounding out the crew was Lauren Sánchez, a licensed pilot and Emmy-winning journalist, whose involvement underscored her growing role in Blue Origin’s vision to make space accessible to all.

The Flight: A Journey to the Edge of Space

The New Shepard rocket, named after Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, lifted off smoothly under clear West Texas skies. The crewed capsule, RSS First to Fly, soared past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 kilometers (62 miles) altitude. During the flight, the six women experienced approximately three minutes of weightlessness, unstrapping from their seats to float freely and gaze at Earth’s curvature through the capsule’s large windows, the largest ever flown in space.

The mission followed Blue Origin’s standard suborbital profile: after reaching its peak altitude, the capsule separated from the reusable booster, which returned to land precisely on a nearby pad. The crew capsule then descended under parachutes, touching down gently in the Texas desert. Blue Origin’s recovery teams were on hand to assist the crew as they exited the capsule, all smiles and visibly moved by the experience.

A Milestone for Space Tourism

The NS-31 mission was more than a celebrity-studded joyride; it was a powerful statement about inclusivity and access. Blue Origin’s New Shepard program has now flown 44 passengers to space since its first crewed flight in 2021, which included Jeff Bezos himself. Priced at an estimated $200,000 to $300,000 per seat, these flights remain a luxury, but the company’s broader mission—to build a future where millions live and work in space—emphasizes lowering costs and expanding opportunities over time.

This all-female flight also highlighted the evolving role of women in space exploration. While NASA and other agencies have made strides toward gender parity, commercial spaceflight is accelerating representation. The crew’s diversity in age, background, and profession underscored the idea that space is not just for astronauts but for anyone with a dream and the means to pursue it.

Reactions and Reflections

Post-flight, the crew shared their awe and gratitude. Katy Perry described the view of Earth as “a spiritual experience,” likening it to a lyric from one of her songs brought to life. Gayle King emphasized the humbling perspective of seeing the planet without borders, calling it a reminder of humanity’s shared home. Amanda Nguyen spoke of carrying the hopes of her community into space, while Aisha Bowe dedicated her flight to young girls dreaming of STEM careers. Kerianne Flynn hinted at future projects inspired by the journey, and Lauren Sánchez praised the Blue Origin team for making the impossible feel real.

Jeff Bezos, watching from mission control, called the flight “a proud moment” for Blue Origin, congratulating the crew on their courage and camaraderie. The mission was livestreamed on Blue Origin’s website and Space.com, drawing millions of viewers worldwide who tuned in to witness history.

Looking Ahead

The success of NS-31 reinforces Blue Origin’s position in the competitive space tourism market, alongside rivals like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic. The company plans to increase the frequency of New Shepard flights while advancing its orbital ambitions with the New Glenn rocket, slated for its first launch later this year. For now, though, the spotlight remains on this groundbreaking crew, whose journey will likely inspire countless others to look to the stars.

As Amanda Nguyen put it in a post-flight interview, “Space doesn’t care who you are—it’s vast enough for all of us.” Today’s flight proved just that, etching a new chapter in the story of human exploration.

For more details on Blue Origin’s missions, visit blueorigin.com. To watch a replay of the NS-31 livestream, check Space.com or Blue Origin’s official channels.