Blue Origin Launches All-Female Crew with Katy Perry

Blue Origin Launches First All-Female Crew to Space

Blue Origin, the aerospace firm founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully completed a launch of its New Shepard rocket around 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday.

This mission represents a significant step in Blue Origin’s efforts to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX within the burgeoning space tourism sector.

A Historic Crew

Notably, the flight featured the first entirely female space crew since 1963.

That year, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova undertook a solo space mission, a landmark achievement.

This latest launch also signifies the 31st overall flight of the New Shepard rocket and its 11th crewed mission.

The Crew Manifest

The crew roster included a diverse group of individuals.

Among them were pop musician Katy Perry, Gayle King, anchor of “CBS Mornings,” film producer Kerianne Flynn, Lauren Sánchez, Jeff Bezos’s partner, civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen, and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe.

Addressing Criticisms

While the mission celebrated women’s contributions to space exploration, Blue Origin has encountered scrutiny.

Critics point to the venture’s exclusivity, arguing it caters primarily to affluent individuals, particularly amidst current economic challenges in the United States.

A New Perspective

Katy Perry, however, shared a contrasting viewpoint in a CBS interview.

She stated the experience would be less about personal recognition and more about appreciating the Earth’s beauty from a unique vantage point.

Perry expressed hope that the crew would return with a renewed commitment to environmental protection, recognizing the fragility of our planet.

The Cost of Space Tourism

The opportunity to share this perspective comes at a considerable cost.

A reservation for a spot on a Blue Origin flight is priced at $150,000.

Future Plans

Blue Origin recently announced preparations for a second launch of its New Glenn rocket.

This launch is currently scheduled for sometime during the spring season.