On Monday, April 14, Blue Origin made history with its first all-female crewed spaceflight. The mission, known as NS-31, launched from West Texas and lasted around eight minutes, taking the group to the edge of space before returning safely to Earth.
The six women on board included some well-known names: pop star Katy Perry, TV host Gayle King, and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez. They were joined by former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, space researcher Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The excitement inside the New Shepard rocket could be heard clearly as the crew cheered and celebrated during the flight.
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The launch drew attention not just for the mission but also for the high-profile supporters in the crowd. Among those cheering them on were Perry’s daughter Daisy and her partner Orlando Bloom, as well as Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, and Khloé Kardashian.
Before liftoff, the women spoke with Elle magazine about how they felt ahead of the big moment. Gayle King, 70, admitted she felt nervous but excited at the same time, comparing the feeling to giving birth — scary, but life-changing. Katy Perry, 40, joked that they were bringing a little style to space, saying, “We’re going to put the ‘ass’ in astronaut.”
Aisha Bowe, 38, even tested her hair and makeup look ahead of time by skydiving in Dubai to make sure it would hold up under pressure.
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While the flight was mostly celebrated, it did receive some criticism. Actress Olivia Munn questioned the purpose of the mission on an episode of Today with Jenna and Friends. She expressed concern that there are more important things happening in the world and asked what the mission truly contributed to society.
Despite the mixed reactions, the NS-31 mission was a powerful moment for women in space and showed that space travel is becoming more accessible and inclusive. Whether for science, inspiration, or celebration, this all-female crew showed the world that the sky is not the limit.
