Blue Origin has revealed details surrounding the upcoming all-female space mission that is poised to make history. Set to launch from the West Texas desert this spring, the New Shepard spacecraft will carry a crew consisting of notable personalities such as Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, and Gayle King. This groundbreaking flight marks the first all-woman crew since Valentina Tereshkova’s pioneering solo spaceflight in 1963 under the Soviet Union.
As Blue Origin solidifies its presence in the commercial space industry alongside competitors like Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the 11-minute journey aboard the New Shepard will offer the crew a unique experience. Soaring past the “Kármán line,” the designated boundary of space, the crew will encounter moments of weightlessness and unparalleled views of Earth through expansive windows covering over one-third of the capsule’s surface.
Unlike traditional flights, there will be no designated pilots on the New Shepard, as it is a fully autonomous vehicle. The crew members, including Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez, are all considered equal participants in this historic mission. Each member brings their own expertise and perspective to the journey, with the aim of inspiring future generations to dream big and pursue their ambitions.
This extraordinary endeavor is a testament to the diverse backgrounds and achievements of the crew members, ranging from former NASA scientists and STEM advocates to renowned journalists and music artists. As they prepare to embark on this transformative experience, the crew looks forward to sharing their story and leaving a lasting impact on those who dare to reach for the stars.
The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act was passed in 2009. One individual expressed optimism about the potential impact of their experiences on future astronauts, inspiring upcoming generations of entrepreneurs and innovators to prioritize the stewardship of our planet and promote unity among all human beings. Lauren Sánchez, who is engaged to Bezos, possesses a diverse background as an Emmy Award-winning journalist, New York Times bestselling author, pilot, vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, and mother of three children.
Regarding all-woman spaceflights, the last mission that came close to being all-female had only one person aboard, as per information from NASA. Valentina Tereshkova embarked on this historic journey on June 16, 1963, becoming the first woman to venture into space. Throughout the nearly three-day flight, the Vostok 6 spacecraft completed 48 orbits around Earth. Following the successful completion of her mission, Tereshkova was bestowed the esteemed title of Hero of the Soviet Union. Although she never went to space again, she later served as a prominent spokesperson for the Soviet Union, as confirmed by NASA.
The New Shepard spacecraft, named after the pioneering astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to travel to space, represents Blue Origin’s innovative and fully reusable suborbital rocket system. The upcoming mission marks the 11th human flight for the New Shepard program and the 31st in its history. So far, this program has enabled 52 individuals to soar above the Kármán line.
Note: This article has been revised to rectify a misspelling or typo. Author credit goes to Eric Lagatta. This content was originally published on USA TODAY: Historic all-woman space flight to include Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez
