An all-female crew, including renowned personalities Gayle King and Katy Perry, is set to embark on a groundbreaking space mission aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft. This flight marks the 31st overall launch of the New Shepard and the 11th with human passengers onboard. Unlike traditional space missions, this vehicle operates autonomously without pilots or active government astronauts, carrying up to six passengers. The mission highlights advancements in commercial space travel and features notable figures from various fields, emphasizing diversity in space exploration.
On Monday morning, the historic launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. ET, according to Blue Origin. Taking off from Launch Site One, a secluded ranch in rural West Texas, the mission, known as NS-31, includes six pioneering women. Among them are Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist; Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and bioastronautics researcher; Gayle King, a prominent journalist; Katy Perry, a globally recognized pop star; Kerianne Flynn, a film producer; and Lauren Sánchez, an Emmy-winning journalist engaged to Jeff Bezos. Each participant brings unique expertise, symbolizing the diverse contributions women make to science, media, and beyond.
The journey of these trailblazing women signifies more than just a space adventure. It represents a shift toward inclusivity and innovation in the realm of space tourism. The autonomous nature of the New Shepard spacecraft underscores technological progress, enabling non-astronauts to experience the cosmos. Past flights have featured celebrities like actor William Shatner and NFL legend Michael Strahan, further cementing the allure of commercial space travel.
Spectators around the globe can tune into live coverage of this momentous event. USA TODAY will stream the launch online, while Blue Origin offers its own livestream prior to liftoff. Additionally, CBS will broadcast the event through its network and Paramount+ streaming service, starting with "CBS Mornings" at 7 a.m. EDT and continuing with a special segment titled "Gayle goes to Space" at 9 a.m.
This milestone mission exemplifies the growing influence of private companies in expanding access to space. Founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin aims to revolutionize the space tourism industry. Since Bezos himself embarked on the inaugural crewed flight in July 2021, the New Shepard has become emblematic of the company’s aspirations to democratize space travel. As the world watches, this all-female crew sets a precedent for future explorations beyond Earth's atmosphere.