Blue Origin achieved a major milestone in space tourism on Monday, launching its first all-female crew aboard the New Shepard rocket. The mission featured six high-profile women from diverse fields, including pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.
Historic Flight with a Modern Message
This launch marks the first all-female space mission since 1963, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel to space solo. Monday’s mission was Blue Origin’s 31st flight and the 11th with human passengers aboard New Shepard.
The company framed the flight as a celebration of women in space exploration. Despite this, Blue Origin continues to face criticism for positioning space travel as a luxury for the wealthy, especially with each seat on board priced at $150,000.
Katy Perry: “It’s About the Earth”
Ahead of the flight, Katy Perry emphasized the environmental and emotional perspective space offers. In a televised interview, she said, “It won’t be about me; it will be about the beautiful Earth we get to see. I think the perspective we’re all going to walk away with is, ‘Oh my gosh, we have to protect our mother.’”
This humanitarian angle comes at a time when space tourism’s exclusivity is being debated, and many argue for more inclusive access to space innovation.
Space Tourism Still Faces Scrutiny
While Blue Origin’s achievement is symbolically powerful, critics highlight the industry’s ongoing challenges, particularly around affordability and environmental impact. The flight takes place amid ongoing economic concerns in the U.S., adding to tensions around high-priced, non-essential luxury experiences.
Nonetheless, the symbolic value of an all-female crew—especially one so high-profile—marks a cultural shift in how space exploration is represented, with a renewed emphasis on diversity and public engagement.
