Liftoff and Mission Overview
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket successfully launched from its West Texas site at approximately 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday, April 14, 2025. This mission marked the 11th crewed spaceflight for the New Shepard spacecraft and was particularly notable for featuring an all-female crew. The event was broadcast live starting at 8 a.m. ET, with viewers tuning in to witness this milestone in space tourism.
The flight lasted about 10 minutes, during which the capsule reached an altitude surpassing the Kármán line (100 kilometers or 62 miles above sea level), officially entering outer space. Passengers experienced a few minutes of weightlessness before safely returning to Earth via parachutes. The rocket booster also executed a controlled upright landing, showcasing Blue Origin’s reusable technology designed to reduce mission costs.
The All-Female Crew and Their Significance
The six women aboard the New Shepard capsule were Gayle King, Katy Perry, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Lauren Sánchez, and Kerianne Flynn. Each brought unique backgrounds and personal items symbolizing their journey:
Gayle King, journalist and co-host of “CBS Mornings,” overcame her fear of flying to participate.
Katy Perry, pop star and philanthropist, carried a daisy flower as a reminder of Earth’s fragility and bracelets from her Firework Foundation to inspire children.
Amanda Nguyen, civil rights activist and sexual assault survivor, brought along her hospital bracelet as a “zero G” indicator to symbolize healing.
Aisha Bowe, aerospace engineer and STEM advocate, represented ambition in science and technology.
Lauren Sánchez, pilot and journalist engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, organized the mission.
Kerianne Flynn, filmmaker, brought symbols tied to storytelling.
This mission is being hailed as historic because it is the first all-female crewed flight since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo Soviet spaceflight in 1963. Despite advancements in gender representation in space exploration over recent decades, only about 15% of the more than 700 people who have traveled to space have been women.
Emotional Moments During the Flight
The passengers expressed profound emotions during their brief journey into space. Katy Perry kissed the ground upon landing while holding up her daisy flower toward the sky. Lauren Sánchez described Earth as “quiet” from above and reflected on humanity’s shared existence. Amanda Nguyen tearfully stated that she embarked on this journey “to heal.”
The phenomenon known as the “overview effect”—a shift in perspective reported by astronauts when viewing Earth from space—was evident among several passengers. This experience often inspires individuals to think beyond daily struggles and consider humanity’s collective responsibility toward Earth.
Training for Spaceflight
Before liftoff, the crew underwent two days of intensive training at Blue Origin’s facilities near Van Horn, Texas. They practiced ingress (entering) and egress (exiting) procedures for the capsule, seatbelt operations during weightlessness, and other safety protocols under guidance from Blue Origin staff.
Custom Spacesuits Designed for Women
The crew donned custom-designed spacesuits created by luxury fashion house Monse in collaboration with Lauren Sánchez. These royal blue suits featured flared pant legs with “Blue Origin” branding prominently displayed alongside symbolic elements representing femininity and strength.
Criticism Amid Celebration
While this mission has been celebrated as a milestone for women in space exploration, it has also faced criticism. Actress Olivia Munn questioned its purpose during an interview on “Jenna and Friends,” calling it “gluttonous” due to its high cost relative to global socioeconomic challenges.
Additionally, Alexandra Abrams—a former Blue Origin employee who previously criticized the company’s workplace culture—referred to this mission as “femwashing,” suggesting it was an attempt by Blue Origin to improve its public image following past controversies.
Jeff Bezos’ Vision Beyond Tourism
Jeff Bezos attended the launch site alongside Sarah Knights (“Crewmember 7”), who served as a guide for passengers throughout their journey. Bezos emphasized his excitement about hearing how this experience would impact each participant upon their return.
Bezos has long stated that suborbital flights like those conducted by New Shepard are stepping stones toward broader goals such as enabling millions of people to live and work in space while preserving Earth’s resources.