Blue Origin’s Historic All-Female Spaceflight Returns to Earth
After landing, the crew was visibly emotional
Blue Origin’s historic all-female spaceflight, known as NS-31, successfully returned to Earth on April 14, 2025.
The crew included pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez (Jeff Bezos’ fiancée), former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist and bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn.
This mission marked the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963.
During the approximately 11-minute suborbital flight, the crew reached an altitude of about 65 miles, crossing the Kármán line, which is considered the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
As reproted, upon experiencing weightlessness, Katy Perry serenaded her fellow crew members with Louis Armstrong’s “What a Wonderful World”.
After landing, the crew was visibly emotional, with Perry expressing a deep sense of connection and love, holding a daisy as a reminder of her daughter.
The six-member team comprised:
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Katy Perry: Pop superstar who sang “What a Wonderful World” during the flight, carrying a daisy flower symbolizing strength and resilience, a tribute to her daughter, Daisy.
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Lauren Sánchez: Philanthropist and journalist, who curated the crew and emphasized the importance of storytelling and diverse representation in space exploration.
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Gayle King: Veteran CBS journalist, adding her extensive media experience to the mission.
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Aisha Bowe: Former NASA rocket scientist and STEM entrepreneur, bringing technical expertise to the team.
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Amanda Nguyễn: Civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, representing advocacy and resilience.
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Kerianne Flynn: Film producer focused on gender issues, highlighting the importance of representation in media
The mission was a significant moment for women in space exploration, challenging traditional stereotypes and inspiring future generations.
Despite the historic nature of the flight, women still make up only about 15% of all space travelers.
The crew’s return was met with excitement and emotional reactions, with some crew members kissing the ground upon landing, overwhelmed by their experience.
