April 14, 2025 – West Texas
Blue Origin has successfully completed its 31st New Shepard mission, NS-31, marking a significant milestone in both commercial spaceflight and cultural representation. The mission, which launched at 8:30 a.m. CDT from Launch Site One in West Texas, was notable for being the company’s 11th human flight—and the first to feature an entirely all-female crew.
A Defining Moment in Suborbital Spaceflight
The NS-31 mission lasted just over 10 minutes, offering its six-person crew a brief but impactful journey past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 kilometers above Earth. The flight allowed for several minutes of weightlessness before the capsule returned safely to Earth via parachute-assisted landing, and the booster touched down autonomously on a nearby pad.
Beyond its technical success, the NS-31 mission has been widely celebrated for its symbolic and social significance. It marks one of the few fully female spaceflights in history, and the first since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963 to exclusively feature women aboard.
Introducing the NS-31 Crew
Curated by journalist and pilot Lauren Sánchez, the six-member crew brought together women from diverse fields—entertainment, media, science, activism, and philanthropy—each selected for their capacity to inspire and engage public audiences.
- Katy Perry – The Grammy-nominated pop artist joined the mission as a civilian participant, aiming to amplify interest in space and STEM among her global fan base.
- Gayle King – A veteran broadcast journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, King contributed her storytelling expertise and perspective to the broader public engagement goals of the mission.
- Aisha Bowe – An aerospace engineer and former NASA contractor, Bowe is the founder and CEO of STEMBoard. Her role emphasized the importance of increasing diversity in STEM fields.
- Amanda Nguyen – A civil rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize nominee, and space policy advocate, Nguyen utilized the microgravity environment to conduct brief scientific research in bioastronautics.
- Kerianne Flynn – A film producer and philanthropist, Flynn participated to help shape the cultural narrative of space exploration through creative and inclusive storytelling.
- Lauren Sánchez – Journalist, helicopter pilot, and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, Sánchez not only flew on the mission but also helped organize and shape its vision, positioning it as a platform for meaningful social impact.
Fashion Meets Function in Orbit
In a unique cross-disciplinary collaboration, the flight suits worn by the NS-31 crew were custom-designed by Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Oscar de la Renta and Monse, in partnership with Creative Character Engineering. The design prioritized safety and comfort while also showcasing the evolving aesthetics of space travel—a blend of innovation, representation, and cultural messaging.
Broader Impact and Legacy
The NS-31 mission represents more than a technological achievement. It reflects a broader shift in the space industry—toward inclusion, public engagement, and cultural relevance. Blue Origin’s decision to spotlight voices from diverse disciplines underlines its commitment to redefining who participates in and benefits from space exploration.
In particular, this mission signals a new era where civilian spaceflight becomes a vehicle not only for scientific progress but also for social inspiration. It brings space closer to everyday people, making the dream of exploration more relatable and attainable for future generations.
The Purpose of NS-31: Inspiration and Inclusion
At its core, the NS-31 mission was about more than just reaching space—it was about reaching people. By showcasing a diverse group of women excelling in science, media, activism, and the arts, Blue Origin sought to inspire a new generation to imagine themselves as future explorers, engineers, and leaders. The flight aimed to break down long-standing barriers and redefine who belongs in space.
What do you think about the purpose of this mission? Does the symbolism and selection of this crew move the needle forward in terms of representation and public engagement in spaceflight?
