Historic All-Female Crew Soars to Space Aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard

By Georgia Hermiston

On April 14, 2025, history was made as Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft carried an all-female crew into space on the NS-31 mission, marking the first all-female spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo journey in 1963. The six women—Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn—embarked on a suborbital flight that not only pushed the boundaries of human exploration but also symbolized a powerful step toward inclusivity in space.

The mission launched from Blue Origin’s West Texas facility at approximately 9 a.m. CDT, with the New Shepard rocket piercing the clear morning sky. The crew capsule separated from the booster at around 250,000 feet, crossing the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 kilometers (62 miles) altitude. For roughly three minutes, the women experienced weightlessness, marvelling at the curvature of Earth against the blackness of space. The capsule then descended under parachutes, touching down safely in the desert about 10 minutes after launch.

Leading the mission was Lauren Sánchez, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and licensed pilot who organized the flight. Sánchez, a vocal advocate for breaking barriers, described the experience as “a dream realized, not just for me but for every woman who’s ever looked at the stars and dared to imagine.” Joining her was global pop icon Katy Perry, a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, who called the view from space “a humbling reminder of our planet’s fragility and beauty.” Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings, brought her storytelling expertise, later sharing, “This wasn’t just about going to space—it was about showing what’s possible when women come together.”

The crew’s scientific and technical expertise was anchored by Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and STEM advocate, and Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics researcher and civil rights activist. Bowe conducted experiments during the brief weightless period, while Nguyen collected data for future human spaceflight studies. Rounding out the team was Kerianne Flynn, a film producer and community builder, who captured footage to inspire future generations.

The NS-31 mission wasn’t just a milestone for gender representation—it was Blue Origin’s 10th crewed flight and a testament to the reliability of the New Shepard system. The reusable rocket booster landed upright minutes before the capsule, paving the way for cost-effective space tourism and research. Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos hailed the crew as “trailblazers,” noting their diverse backgrounds in media, science, and advocacy as a reflection of space’s universal appeal.

This flight comes at a time when space exploration is becoming more accessible. Blue Origin’s suborbital program offers a platform for civilians to experience space without the years of training required for orbital missions. The NS-31 crew’s journey, broadcast live and shared across social media, sparked global conversations about who gets to explore the final frontier. Posts on X captured the excitement, with users calling the mission “a game-changer for women in STEM” and “proof that space is for everyone.”

As the crew disembarked, their smiles and high-fives spoke volumes. Sánchez summed it up: “We didn’t just touch the stars—we showed the world that women belong among them.” Their flight may have lasted mere minutes, but its impact will resonate for generations, inspiring young dreamers to aim for the cosmos.

The success of NS-31 sets the stage for Blue Origin’s next steps, including plans for more frequent flights and potential orbital missions. For now, though, the world celebrates these six women who turned a fleeting journey into a lasting legacy.

Georgia Hermiston is a registered nurse and a freelance writer for Veritas Expositae

You can reach her at Georgia.hermiston@veritasexpositae.com