The 31st mission of Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital vehicle (NS-31) successfully completed its mission. Six women, including pop singer Katy Perry, ventured into space on April 14, 2025. The first all-female space crew was led by Valentina Tereshkova in 1963. During this mission, astronauts experienced the sensation of weightlessness and witnessed life-altering views of Earth.
The Crew Members
- Pop Star: Katy Perry - CBS Mornings Co-Host: Gayle King - Writer and Bioastronautics Researcher: Amanda Nguyen - STEMBoard CEO and Former NASA Rocket Scientist: Aisha Bowe - Filmmaker: Corinne Flynn - Mission Leader: Lauren Sanchez, Partner of Blue Origin's Founder, Jeff Bezos
The flight lasted approximately 14 minutes. The NS-31 crew capsule safely returned to the Texas desert via parachute. Two minutes and 40 seconds after liftoff, the New Shepard booster separated from the crew capsule. The capsule then soared to a height of 100 km, reaching the edge of space known as the Karman line before ascending slightly further.
Flight Details
Source: aajtak
Return of Booster and Capsule
Booster Landing:
The New Shepard booster used aerobrakes to control its descent speed, reigniting its engine for a controlled landing.
Capsule Landing:
Shortly after, the New Shepard capsule began its descent back to Earth, deploying drogue chutes followed by the mains.
Meet the Pioneering Women Astronauts
Source: aajtak
Aisha Bowe
Aisha Bowe is a former NASA rocket scientist and CEO of STEMBoard. She is the first person of Bahamian descent to journey into space. She carries student postcards on this mission, poised to conduct research on plant and human physiology.
Amanda Nguyen
Amanda Nguyen is a bioastronautics research scientist and Harvard alumna who has collaborated with NASA. She advocates for survivors of sexual violence and was honored as Time's Woman of the Year. Amanda is the first Vietnamese and South Asian woman to travel to space, symbolizing a treaty between the U.S. and Vietnam that highlights science for peace.
Gayle King
Renowned journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, Gayle King, is thrilled to join Blue Origin's first all-female space team and embraces the new challenges it presents.
Katy Perry
Global pop superstar and philanthropist Katy Perry joins the historic all-female Blue Origin crew, aiming to inspire her daughter and others to reach for the stars.
Corinne Flynn
Filmmaker and advocate Corinne Flynn is excited to participate in Blue Origin's space mission. Her films champion women's rights and equality.
Lauren Sanchez
A journalist, author, and pilot, Lauren Sanchez is part of Blue Origin's space flight, driven to inspire the next generation.
