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12 Mar 2025, Wed

Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission features all-female crew

Katy Perry vai viajar ao espaço em missão da Blue Origin


Pop star Katy Perry is set to make history by joining the NS-31 mission of Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, the billionaire behind Amazon. Announced on Thursday, February 27, 2025, this trip will mark the 11th crewed flight of the New Shepard rocket and the first with an exclusively female crew. Alongside Perry, the group includes journalist Lauren Sánchez, Bezos’ partner, former Nasa scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, CBS journalist Gayle King, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The suborbital flight, crossing the Kármán Line at 100 kilometers altitude, promises the passengers a breathtaking view of Earth and about four minutes of weightlessness, further cementing Blue Origin’s role in the booming space tourism industry.

The decision to assemble an all-female crew carries deep symbolic weight while showcasing the growing diversity in the space sector, long dominated by men. Though no exact launch date has been confirmed, the NS-31 mission is slated for the northern hemisphere’s spring, between March and June 2025. This will be the 31st launch of the reusable New Shepard rocket, which has already carried 52 people to space since its first passenger flight in 2021, including Jeff Bezos himself and actor William Shatner. The announcement comes just two days after the NS-30 mission on February 25, which took six space tourists on a 10-minute journey, highlighting the company’s rapid pace of operations.

Known for chart-topping hits like “Firework” and “Roar,” Perry will step beyond the music world to join a remarkable group of women from fields like science, journalism, and entertainment. Blue Origin emphasizes that the mission aims to inspire onlookers by demonstrating how a brief trip to space can reshape perspectives. With tickets costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, space tourism remains an elite experience, but Bezos’ company continues to broaden its appeal, blending commercial flights with scientific payloads.

A star-studded crew takes center stage

Onboard the NS-31 mission, Katy Perry won’t be the only standout name. Lauren Sánchez, a journalist and helicopter pilot who has been romantically linked to Jeff Bezos, played a key role in assembling this crew, adding a personal touch to the endeavor. Sánchez, with her background in television and aviation, shares Perry’s taste for extraordinary ventures, making this flight a natural fit. Aisha Bowe, a former Nasa engineer and founder of a space technology company, brings technical know-how, while Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics researcher and social activist, contributes cutting-edge scientific insight.

Rounding out the crew are Gayle King, a prominent CBS journalist, and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer with a knack for compelling visual storytelling. Together, these women mark a milestone for Blue Origin, which has successfully completed 10 crewed missions with the New Shepard so far. The most recent flight, NS-30, featured passengers like investor Lane Bess, who flew with the company in 2021, and Spanish host Jesús Calleja, underscoring the diverse range of individuals drawn to these journeys.

What to expect from the suborbital flight

Unlike orbital missions flown by competitors like SpaceX, the New Shepard’s flight is suborbital, meaning it doesn’t fully orbit Earth. The 18-meter-tall rocket climbs past the Kármán Line, recognized globally as the boundary of space at 100 kilometers above sea level. At its peak, the passenger capsule detaches from the booster, offering a few minutes of zero gravity before descending back to Earth under parachutes, landing gently in the West Texas desert near Blue Origin’s launch site.

The entire experience lasts roughly 11 minutes from liftoff to touchdown. During this time, the crew can unbuckle, float inside the capsule, and gaze at Earth’s curvature against the blackness of space through large windows. Meanwhile, the booster executes a controlled landing minutes earlier, showcasing the reusable technology that’s central to Blue Origin’s cost-cutting strategy. This approach has enabled the company to ramp up flight frequency, making space tourism increasingly practical.

Blue Origin’s milestones in space tourism

Blue Origin’s space tourism journey kicked off in July 2021 with the NS-16 mission, the first crewed flight of the New Shepard, carrying Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Dutch student Oliver Daemen. Since then, the company has notched 10 crewed missions and 31 total launches, including cargo and scientific flights. A standout moment came in October 2021, when William Shatner, at age 90, became the oldest person to reach space, captivating fans of “Star Trek” worldwide.

Beyond tourism, Blue Origin is expanding its ambitions. In January 2025, the company conducted the first orbital test flight of its larger New Glenn rocket, positioning it as a rival to SpaceX in the satellite launch market. The New Shepard, however, remains the cornerstone of its suborbital program, averaging a crewed mission every few months. The NS-28 flight in November 2024 carried six passengers, including science communicator Emily Calandrelli, reinforcing its appeal to celebrities and science advocates alike.

The New Shepard program also supports scientific research. In February 2025, the uncrewed NS-29 mission carried 30 experiments to space, many funded by Nasa, simulating lunar gravity for two minutes. This blend of tourism and science will be evident in the upcoming NS-31 flight with Katy Perry and her fellow travelers.

Meet the women of NS-31

A closer look at the NS-31 passengers reveals a diverse mix of talent. Here’s who they are:

  • Katy Perry: 40-year-old pop icon, winner of MTV Video Music Awards, known for her vibrant performances and global hits.
  • Lauren Sánchez: Journalist and helicopter pilot, Jeff Bezos’ partner, with a background in media and aviation.
  • Aisha Bowe: Former Nasa scientist and space tech entrepreneur, dedicated to innovation and inclusion.
  • Amanda Nguyen: Bioastronautics researcher and activist, noted for her work in space policy.
  • Gayle King: CBS anchor, one of America’s most influential journalists.
  • Kerianne Flynn: Film producer, skilled in crafting impactful visual narratives.

This lineup underscores Blue Origin’s aim to democratize space travel, extending it beyond traditional astronauts. An all-female crew also nods to the legacy of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space in 1963, while adding a modern twist of empowerment and visibility.

New Shepard flight timeline

Blue Origin maintains a steady cadence of New Shepard launches. Here’s a rundown of recent and upcoming missions:

  • July 2021: First crewed flight (NS-16) with Jeff Bezos.
  • October 2021: William Shatner reaches space (NS-18).
  • November 2024: NS-28 carries six passengers.
  • February 2025: NS-30 takes six tourists aloft.
  • Spring 2025: NS-31, featuring Katy Perry and an all-female crew.

The NS-31 mission will be the next leap in solidifying the company’s space tourism legacy, with plans to boost flight frequency and explore new suborbital possibilities.

Cultural and commercial impact of the mission

Katy Perry’s involvement in NS-31 is likely to shine a brighter spotlight on space tourism, an industry generating millions annually. With her global fanbase, Perry could amplify Blue Origin’s reach, competing with firms like Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. While Virgin uses a spaceplane model, Blue Origin’s vertical takeoff and landing system has proven reliable and efficient.

Ticket prices for the New Shepard remain undisclosed but are estimated to range from $200,000 to $500,000, varying by demand and passenger profile. For Perry and her crewmates, the trip transcends cost—it’s a chance to make history and inspire future explorers. The mission also highlights women’s rising presence in once-inaccessible fields like space, aligning with a global push for inclusion.

Technical details of the New Shepard

Built for reusability, the New Shepard has impressed with its reliability. The rocket launches vertically from West Texas, reaching a peak altitude of roughly 107 kilometers. Its capsule, fitted with large windows, offers panoramic Earth views, while the booster lands precisely on its own. Over a decade of development, Blue Origin has honed this system, supporting both tourism and science.

The NS-31 mission will uphold the safety and efficiency standards of prior flights. Each passenger will undergo pre-flight training, covering zero-gravity protocols and emergency procedures. Designed for six occupants, the capsule provides ample room to enjoy the brief weightless phase, a highlight of the journey.

Pop star Katy Perry is set to make history by joining the NS-31 mission of Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, the billionaire behind Amazon. Announced on Thursday, February 27, 2025, this trip will mark the 11th crewed flight of the New Shepard rocket and the first with an exclusively female crew. Alongside Perry, the group includes journalist Lauren Sánchez, Bezos’ partner, former Nasa scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, CBS journalist Gayle King, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The suborbital flight, crossing the Kármán Line at 100 kilometers altitude, promises the passengers a breathtaking view of Earth and about four minutes of weightlessness, further cementing Blue Origin’s role in the booming space tourism industry.

The decision to assemble an all-female crew carries deep symbolic weight while showcasing the growing diversity in the space sector, long dominated by men. Though no exact launch date has been confirmed, the NS-31 mission is slated for the northern hemisphere’s spring, between March and June 2025. This will be the 31st launch of the reusable New Shepard rocket, which has already carried 52 people to space since its first passenger flight in 2021, including Jeff Bezos himself and actor William Shatner. The announcement comes just two days after the NS-30 mission on February 25, which took six space tourists on a 10-minute journey, highlighting the company’s rapid pace of operations.

Known for chart-topping hits like “Firework” and “Roar,” Perry will step beyond the music world to join a remarkable group of women from fields like science, journalism, and entertainment. Blue Origin emphasizes that the mission aims to inspire onlookers by demonstrating how a brief trip to space can reshape perspectives. With tickets costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, space tourism remains an elite experience, but Bezos’ company continues to broaden its appeal, blending commercial flights with scientific payloads.

A star-studded crew takes center stage

Onboard the NS-31 mission, Katy Perry won’t be the only standout name. Lauren Sánchez, a journalist and helicopter pilot who has been romantically linked to Jeff Bezos, played a key role in assembling this crew, adding a personal touch to the endeavor. Sánchez, with her background in television and aviation, shares Perry’s taste for extraordinary ventures, making this flight a natural fit. Aisha Bowe, a former Nasa engineer and founder of a space technology company, brings technical know-how, while Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics researcher and social activist, contributes cutting-edge scientific insight.

Rounding out the crew are Gayle King, a prominent CBS journalist, and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer with a knack for compelling visual storytelling. Together, these women mark a milestone for Blue Origin, which has successfully completed 10 crewed missions with the New Shepard so far. The most recent flight, NS-30, featured passengers like investor Lane Bess, who flew with the company in 2021, and Spanish host Jesús Calleja, underscoring the diverse range of individuals drawn to these journeys.

What to expect from the suborbital flight

Unlike orbital missions flown by competitors like SpaceX, the New Shepard’s flight is suborbital, meaning it doesn’t fully orbit Earth. The 18-meter-tall rocket climbs past the Kármán Line, recognized globally as the boundary of space at 100 kilometers above sea level. At its peak, the passenger capsule detaches from the booster, offering a few minutes of zero gravity before descending back to Earth under parachutes, landing gently in the West Texas desert near Blue Origin’s launch site.

The entire experience lasts roughly 11 minutes from liftoff to touchdown. During this time, the crew can unbuckle, float inside the capsule, and gaze at Earth’s curvature against the blackness of space through large windows. Meanwhile, the booster executes a controlled landing minutes earlier, showcasing the reusable technology that’s central to Blue Origin’s cost-cutting strategy. This approach has enabled the company to ramp up flight frequency, making space tourism increasingly practical.

Blue Origin’s milestones in space tourism

Blue Origin’s space tourism journey kicked off in July 2021 with the NS-16 mission, the first crewed flight of the New Shepard, carrying Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Dutch student Oliver Daemen. Since then, the company has notched 10 crewed missions and 31 total launches, including cargo and scientific flights. A standout moment came in October 2021, when William Shatner, at age 90, became the oldest person to reach space, captivating fans of “Star Trek” worldwide.

Beyond tourism, Blue Origin is expanding its ambitions. In January 2025, the company conducted the first orbital test flight of its larger New Glenn rocket, positioning it as a rival to SpaceX in the satellite launch market. The New Shepard, however, remains the cornerstone of its suborbital program, averaging a crewed mission every few months. The NS-28 flight in November 2024 carried six passengers, including science communicator Emily Calandrelli, reinforcing its appeal to celebrities and science advocates alike.

The New Shepard program also supports scientific research. In February 2025, the uncrewed NS-29 mission carried 30 experiments to space, many funded by Nasa, simulating lunar gravity for two minutes. This blend of tourism and science will be evident in the upcoming NS-31 flight with Katy Perry and her fellow travelers.

Meet the women of NS-31

A closer look at the NS-31 passengers reveals a diverse mix of talent. Here’s who they are:

  • Katy Perry: 40-year-old pop icon, winner of MTV Video Music Awards, known for her vibrant performances and global hits.
  • Lauren Sánchez: Journalist and helicopter pilot, Jeff Bezos’ partner, with a background in media and aviation.
  • Aisha Bowe: Former Nasa scientist and space tech entrepreneur, dedicated to innovation and inclusion.
  • Amanda Nguyen: Bioastronautics researcher and activist, noted for her work in space policy.
  • Gayle King: CBS anchor, one of America’s most influential journalists.
  • Kerianne Flynn: Film producer, skilled in crafting impactful visual narratives.

This lineup underscores Blue Origin’s aim to democratize space travel, extending it beyond traditional astronauts. An all-female crew also nods to the legacy of Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space in 1963, while adding a modern twist of empowerment and visibility.

New Shepard flight timeline

Blue Origin maintains a steady cadence of New Shepard launches. Here’s a rundown of recent and upcoming missions:

  • July 2021: First crewed flight (NS-16) with Jeff Bezos.
  • October 2021: William Shatner reaches space (NS-18).
  • November 2024: NS-28 carries six passengers.
  • February 2025: NS-30 takes six tourists aloft.
  • Spring 2025: NS-31, featuring Katy Perry and an all-female crew.

The NS-31 mission will be the next leap in solidifying the company’s space tourism legacy, with plans to boost flight frequency and explore new suborbital possibilities.

Cultural and commercial impact of the mission

Katy Perry’s involvement in NS-31 is likely to shine a brighter spotlight on space tourism, an industry generating millions annually. With her global fanbase, Perry could amplify Blue Origin’s reach, competing with firms like Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic. While Virgin uses a spaceplane model, Blue Origin’s vertical takeoff and landing system has proven reliable and efficient.

Ticket prices for the New Shepard remain undisclosed but are estimated to range from $200,000 to $500,000, varying by demand and passenger profile. For Perry and her crewmates, the trip transcends cost—it’s a chance to make history and inspire future explorers. The mission also highlights women’s rising presence in once-inaccessible fields like space, aligning with a global push for inclusion.

Technical details of the New Shepard

Built for reusability, the New Shepard has impressed with its reliability. The rocket launches vertically from West Texas, reaching a peak altitude of roughly 107 kilometers. Its capsule, fitted with large windows, offers panoramic Earth views, while the booster lands precisely on its own. Over a decade of development, Blue Origin has honed this system, supporting both tourism and science.

The NS-31 mission will uphold the safety and efficiency standards of prior flights. Each passenger will undergo pre-flight training, covering zero-gravity protocols and emergency procedures. Designed for six occupants, the capsule provides ample room to enjoy the brief weightless phase, a highlight of the journey.

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