Blue Origin Launches Historic All-Women Crew

On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launched from West Texas, carrying an all-female crew to suborbital space. The NS-31 mission marked the first all-women spaceflight in nearly six decades, since Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in 1963.

The crew included journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, who curated the team, pop superstar Katy Perry, and CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King. Also on board were film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen.

The 11-minute flight took the crew beyond the Kármán Line, approximately 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth, the internationally recognized boundary of space. The crew experienced a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth. Perry reportedly sang "What a Wonderful World" during the flight.

The mission was Blue Origin's 11th human spaceflight and 31st overall. The flight aimed to inspire future generations, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM and space exploration. The crew brought various personal items to space, including bracelets for Perry's Firework Foundation and postcards from children around the world.