Singer Katy Perry and journalist Gayle King are set to join an exclusive all-female crew for a remarkable journey into space on Monday morning. This exciting mission is made possible through Jeff Bezos' private space venture, Blue Origin, which has been at the forefront of suborbital space travel since 2021. The crew will board the New Shepard launch vehicle, known for its successful flights with scientists, entrepreneurs, and celebrities above the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space located approximately 62 miles above Earth's surface.
The upcoming mission, designated NS-31, has captured widespread attention due to its renowned passengers and its historic significance. This flight marks the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when Soviet-era cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to orbit Earth during a solo mission lasting nearly three days. In contrast, Blue Origin's flight is expected to last approximately 11 minutes, offering a brief yet exhilarating experience for its astronauts.
The New Shepard astronauts will ascend towards the edge of space at speeds exceeding three times the speed of sound. Once they surpass the Kármán line, the crew will unbuckle their harnesses, float weightlessly, and take in breathtaking views of our planet. The descent will be smooth, as the capsule returns to Earth under parachutes, ensuring a gentle landing.
The launch is scheduled for Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. EDT from Blue Origin's Launch Site One in West Texas. The mission has generated excitement not only for its all-female crew but also for its innovative approach to space tourism.
The New Shepard is an autonomous vehicle without pilots. Its distinguished crew includes:
Lauren Sánchez: A journalist, author, pilot, and philanthropist, who is also Jeff Bezos' fiancé. She played a pivotal role in assembling the crew and collaborated with Monse to redesign the women's space suits. Aisha Bowe: A former NASA rocket scientist and advocate for STEM education, she will be the first person of Bahamian descent to travel to space, carrying postcards from students and conducting three research experiments. Amanda Nguyễn: A bioastronautics research scientist and civil rights activist, recognized as TIME's Woman of the Year and nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize. She is set to become the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman astronaut, symbolizing reconciliation between the U.S. and Vietnam. Gayle King: The cohost of CBS Mornings and editor-at-large for Oprah Daily, she expressed her mixed emotions about the journey, describing it as both terrifying and exciting. Katy Perry: The iconic pop star known for her hits referencing space and aliens. Perry has curated a special space playlist featuring songs like "E.T." and "Starman" to accompany her on this journey. Kerianne Flynn: A film producer and philanthropist who has dreamed of going to space since childhood, inspired by stargazing with her grandfather.New Shepard is a fully reusable, suborbital rocket system designed for human spaceflight. Named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space, the rocket features a pressurized capsule that comfortably accommodates six passengers, each with their own window seat. During its journey, the capsule separates from the booster and experiences a brief freefall before deploying three parachutes for a safe landing.
While Blue Origin has not publicly disclosed the exact ticket prices, a deposit of $150,000 is required to initiate the reservation process. The first crewed flight in 2021 included an auctioned seat that fetched an astonishing $28 million. Some celebrities, such as Michael Strahan and William Shatner, have flown as honored guests.
NS-31 will be the 11th human flight for the New Shepard program, which made its inaugural journey in July 2021, carrying Jeff Bezos and other notable individuals, including pioneering aviator Wally Funk and the youngest astronaut, Oliver Daemen.
As excitement builds for this groundbreaking mission, the world eagerly awaits to witness history being made with this all-female crew taking a giant leap into space.
