On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin made history with its latest launch, NS-31, which featured an all-female crew. This mission marked the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo spaceflight in 1963. The crew, including celebrities like Katy Perry and Gayle King, soared past the Kármán line, experiencing a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth.
The NS-31 mission carried six remarkable women: Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, and Kerianne Flynn. Each member brought unique backgrounds and expertise to the mission. For instance, Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist, conducted experiments during the flight, while Amanda Nguyễn, a bioastronautics research scientist, represented a historic first as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard is a fully reusable, suborbital rocket system designed for human flight. Named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space, this rocket has a pressurized crew capsule with room for six people, each with a window seat. The rocket’s BE-3PM engine, fueled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen, produces zero carbon emissions, making it an environmentally friendly choice for space travel.
In a unique collaboration, fashion brand MONSE designed the space suits for the all-female crew. Lauren Sánchez, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, initiated the collaboration, aiming to bring “a little spice to space” with elegant and functional suits. This partnership highlights the intersection of fashion and space exploration, adding a stylish touch to the historic mission.
The NS-31 mission lasted approximately 11 minutes, with the crew reaching an altitude of over 346,000 feet. The launch was visible for the first 60-90 seconds, followed by the thrilling descent of the reusable rocket booster and a sonic boom. The capsule landed safely in the Texas desert, marking a successful conclusion to the mission.
The launch garnered significant attention, with celebrities like Khloé Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey expressing their excitement and admiration. This mission not only highlights the potential for space tourism but also underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in space exploration. Future missions may continue to push boundaries and inspire new generations to reach for the stars.
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, aims to make space travel more accessible and sustainable. The company’s focus on reusable rocket systems and minimal maintenance between flights helps reduce costs and environmental impact. As space tourism gains momentum, Blue Origin’s innovations could pave the way for more frequent and affordable space travel experiences.
The Blue Origin NS-31 launch was a monumental event, showcasing the potential of space travel and the importance of diversity in exploration. With an all-female crew and innovative technology, this mission set a new precedent for future space endeavors. As Blue Origin continues to push the boundaries of space travel, the possibilities for human exploration and scientific discovery are limitless.
