Blue Origin's Groundbreaking All-Female Space Mission

A Stellar Crew Set to Soar

This spring, Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket will launch an all-female crew into the exciting realm of space. This exciting mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration.

Among the six extraordinary women embarking on this journey are journalist Gayle King, renowned singer Katy Perry, and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen.

Powerhouse Team Takes Flight

Joining them are Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and CEO of STEMBoard, and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer known for her nonprofit work with organizations such as The Allen-Stevenson School, The High Line, and Hudson River Park.

Leading this impressive team is Lauren Sánchez, a pilot, journalist, and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. Sánchez, who is also engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, played a pivotal role in assembling this historic crew.

"She is honored to lead a team of explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives of Earth, empower them to share their own stories, and create lasting impact that will inspire generations to come," stated Blue Origin.

Making History and Breaking Barriers

Amanda Nguyen's participation adds another layer of historical significance. A 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee for her advocacy work supporting survivors of sexual violence, Nguyen will be the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman astronaut.

This mission, designated NS-31, will be New Shepard's 11th human spaceflight, propelling its passengers past the Kármán line, the commonly accepted boundary of space, situated 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth's surface. While the exact launch date remains undisclosed, anticipation is building.

A Giant Leap for Women in Space

Founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, Blue Origin highlights the historical significance of this mission. It will be the first all-female space crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in 1963. This starkly contrasts with NASA, which, since its inception, has selected 61 women astronauts, including Christina Koch and Jessica Meir who conducted the first all-female spacewalk outside the International Space Station in October 2019.

The Rise of Space Tourism and Female Astronauts

The increasing accessibility of space tourism has opened doors for more women to reach for the stars. In November, Emily Calandrelli, an MIT engineer and TV host affectionately known as “Space Gal,” became the 100th woman to venture into space aboard Blue Origin's NS-28 mission.