On April 14, 2025, six prominent women soared into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The mission, NS-31, marked the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963 — a notable milestone in space tourism and gender representation. For the first time in decades, the spotlight turned upward; stars in space stopped being a metaphor and turned into a headline.
A historic all-female crew
Blue Origin successfully completed its 11th human spaceflight for the New Shepard program with this launch. The mission, dubbed NS-31, was part of the company’s growing efforts to make space tourism more accessible and a regular part of the broader aerospace landscape. Each flight builds on the technology and safety systems of the previous one, and this journey in particular marked another step forward in the commercial spaceflight timeline.
In a news article by Blue Origin, Phil Joyce, senior vice president of New Shepard, described the moment as a powerful milestone. “What a privilege to witness this crew of trailblazers depart the capsule today,” he said. “Each of these women is a storyteller who will use their voices — individually and together — to channel their life-changing experience today into creating a lasting impact that will inspire people across our planet for generations.”
The company emphasized how the mission reflected its broader goal: opening access to space and amplifying voices that haven’t traditionally been part of the conversation. “Thank you to this remarkable crew for uplifting so many on their historic journey toward the stars and back,” Joyce added. Here are the six women who brought that mission to life in their own unique ways:
Gayle King
As a veteran journalist and morning show co-host, Gayle King is no stranger to making headlines. But this flight put her on the other side of the story. King used her platform to shine a spotlight on representation in space, bringing a sharp sense of purpose and visibility to the mission.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry turned a once-in-a-lifetime flight into something deeply personal. She sang “What a Wonderful World” while floating weightless, dedicating it to her daughter. Perry described the experience as emotional and grounding, showing that even in zero gravity, there’s room for reflection and connection.
Aisha Bowe
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA aerospace engineer, became the first Bahamian person in space. Her background in STEM made her presence aboard especially significant. She’s spent years advocating for more Black and brown girls in science and engineering, and this mission turned her words into a powerful visual. Her story is one of persistence and is proof that technical expertise and public inspiration can go hand in hand.
Amanda Nguyen
Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights advocate and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, brought a powerful voice to the mission. As the first Vietnamese American woman in space, she used her platform to highlight the intersections of space, justice and global citizenship. Her inclusion symbolized how space can serve as a canvas for voices pushing for change on the ground.
Kerianne Flynn
Kerianne Flynn may not be a household name, but her impact is real. A philanthropist and film producer, Flynn has long supported causes related to science and education. Her role on the mission reminds us that support doesn’t always have to be loud to be meaningful.
Lauren Sánchez
Lauren Sánchez, a licensed pilot and media personality, helped bring this historic crew together. As the mission’s organizer, she took her behind-the-scenes influence and stepped into the spotlight, quite literally. Sánchez wanted this flight to inspire young girls and normalize seeing women in command. She wasn’t just along for the ride; she helped chart the course.
Reactions and reflections
The mission quickly lit up headlines, social media feeds and primetime discussions. Supporters called it an empowering moment, a bold step for visibility and inclusion in space exploration. For many, seeing a diverse crew of women aboard a commercial spaceflight wasn’t just symbolic; it represented a shift in who gets to write the next chapter of space history.
The views from space weren’t just awe-inspiring — they were unifying. In an article by Space, Lauren Sánchez said, “We’re so connected. More connected than you realize. Because you just see… all these things that divide us. But we’re not.” She added, “It makes me want to come back and just hug everyone and be like, ‘Oh my god, we’re in this! We’re in this together!” From that high up, national borders disappear, and the divisions we often focus on seem to blur. The experience left her with a perspective she couldn’t shake.
Before the flight, Amanda Nguyen was already known for her powerful advocacy on behalf of sexual assault survivors. After landing, she used her platform to send a message that reached far beyond the launchpad: “In this moment, I just want all survivors to know: You can heal. No dream is too wild, and if it’s so wild and out there, like going to space, you can absolutely make it through, and it can absolutely be possible,” she said in the same Space article.
At the same time, some voices online questioned the cost and purpose of celebrity space travel. Gayle King didn’t shy away from that conversation. She reminded critics that inspiration isn’t trivial and that giving young people, especially girls of color, a glimpse of what’s possible can be its own kind of mission.
The flight also sparked discussions around how space access is evolving. People are paying attention not just to who goes up, but why. In that sense, NS-31 became more than a launch; it was a cultural moment with ripple effects far beyond the launchpad.
The broader impact
Beyond the celebrity spotlight, NS-31 became a milestone for what space travel can represent and who gets to take part. For decades, the image of a space traveler has been narrowly defined: often white, male and military-trained. But private spaceflight is changing that picture. It’s not just opening the door for more people; it’s shifting public perception about who can also belong in these spaces.
Historically, women were often sidelined in the aerospace conversation, cast as observers rather than pioneers. But with each high-profile launch like NS-31, that narrative is fading. These women weren’t passengers, but the story, the symbol and the spark for broader cultural change.
This growing diversity also matters for innovation. People bring their full lived experiences with them into these missions, and that shapes how stories are told, who feels invited and what questions get asked next. When space feels inclusive, it starts to feel reachable.
A new era takes flight
The NS-31 mission wasn’t just a milestone for private space travel; it was a turning point for how we imagine the future of space. When women from different backgrounds lead the charge, it challenges stereotypes and reshapes them into something broader and more inclusive. The message was clear: space is big enough for everyone, and the stories that lift off from Earth don’t have to look or sound the same.
Zuzana Paar is the visionary behind four inspiring websites: Amazing Travel Life, Low Carb No Carb, Best Clean Eating and Sustainable Life Ideas. As a content creator, recipe developer, blogger and photographer, Zuzana shares her diverse skills through breathtaking travel adventures, healthy recipes and eco-friendly living tips. Her work inspires readers to live their best, healthiest and most sustainable lives.