Empire State Review Team 
Blue Origin’s Groundbreaking All-Female Space Flight
On a historic Monday, Blue Origin successfully launched its first all-female crew aboard the New Shepard rocket from West Texas. This mission is notably significant as it marks the first all-women space flight since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo venture in 1963.
Details of the Flight
The six-woman crew enjoyed a brief ten-minute journey to the edge of space, representing Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight. The company, founded by Jeff Bezos, continues to pave the way for commercial space travel.
Meet the Crew
The mission featured a diverse group of women, each contributing unique backgrounds and stories:
- Lauren Sánchez: Fiancée of Jeff Bezos, helicopter pilot, and former TV journalist.
- Katy Perry: World-renowned pop singer.
- Gayle King: Acclaimed television journalist.
- Aisha Bowe: Former NASA rocket scientist and current engineering firm CEO.
- Amanda Nguyen: Research scientist and advocate for sexual assault survivors.
- Kerianne Flynn: Movie producer.
Sánchez not only selected the crew but also collaborated with fashion designers from the Monse clothing brand to create custom space suits tailored for women, emphasizing design suitability beyond traditional male-oriented designs.
Launch Day Emotions
The launch event attracted numerous prominent figures, including Oprah Winfrey and members of the Kardashian family, all expressing their admiration and emotional reactions to the event. Winfrey, a close friend of Gayle King, was visibly moved as the crew reached space, celebrating their achievement with cheers and awe.
Reflections from the Crew
Upon returning to Earth, the crew shared their reactions:
- Katy Perry and Gayle King kissed the ground with joy after safely exiting the capsule.
- Lauren Sánchez described the experience as awe-inspiring, noting how “quiet” yet “alive” Earth felt from space.
- King, who had previously expressed fear of flying, found newfound courage and inspiration from her flight.
- Amanda Nguyen celebrated the significance of her journey as part of her healing process as a sexual assault survivor.
- Kerianne Flynn expressed hope that the path to space becomes more accessible to everyone.
- Perry felt a deep connection to love during the flight, emphasizing the emotional impact of the experience.
Criticism of the Mission
Despite the inspirational nature of the flight, it was not without its detractors. Actress Olivia Munn raised concerns regarding the mission’s cost and the attention it garnered, questioning the necessity of publicizing such a venture when other pressing global issues remain unsolved.
The Future of Space Travel
This significant mission emphasizes the ongoing need for representation in space exploration, with only 14% of all space travelers being women. Katy Perry highlighted the importance of such historic milestones for inspiring future generations and promoting gender equality in space exploration.
As Blue Origin continues its efforts in commercial space travel since its inaugural flight in 2021, the all-female crew illustrates a pivotal moment for the industry and a hopeful future for diverse participation in space exploration.
