On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket successfully completed its NS-31 mission, marking a historic milestone as the first all-female crewed spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963. The 11-minute suborbital journey launched from Van Horn, Texas, and featured a diverse team of six accomplished women from various fields.Vogue+1Wikipedia+1
The crew included pop icon Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot and journalist Lauren Sánchez, who is also known for her engagement to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos. This mission represented the 11th human flight for Blue Origin’s New Shepard program and underscored the company’s commitment to promoting inclusivity in space exploration. Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre+2Wikipedia+2ABC News+2Page Six
During the flight, the capsule crossed the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space—allowing the crew to experience a few minutes of weightlessness. In a poignant moment, Katy Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” and held up a daisy, symbolizing strength and resilience, and paying tribute to her daughter, Daisy. Reuters
The mission garnered significant attention, with notable figures such as Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, and Khloé Kardashian present to celebrate the crew’s safe return. Despite some criticism regarding the mission’s timing amid economic challenges, the NS-31 flight stands as a testament to the progress of women in aerospace and the potential for future inclusive space endeavors.
