Blue Origin marked its 11th human spaceflight and 31st overall New Shepard mission with a powerful launch from its West Texas site, carrying an all-female astronaut crew that included trailblazers from science, media, music, and activism.
The crew aboard NS-31 featured:
- Aisha Bowe, aerospace engineer and STEM advocate
- Amanda Nguyễn, civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee
- Gayle King, legendary journalist and TV personality
- Katy Perry, global music icon and philanthropist
- Kerianne Flynn, filmmaker and storyteller
- Lauren Sánchez, media personality and author of The Fly Who Flew to Space
This milestone flight brings the total number of people flown to space by New Shepard to 58, including four individuals who’ve flown twice.
A Mission of Meaning
Each woman’s presence represented more than just a seat on the rocket—it carried a symbol of her work and impact:
- A target star for Bowe’s dedication to STEM
- Scales of justice for Nguyễn’s advocacy
- A shooting star microphone for King’s journalistic legacy
- A firework for Perry’s cultural influence
- A film reel for Flynn’s storytelling craft
- And Flynn the Fly, Sánchez’s children’s book character, who joined the flight to inspire kids with learning differences
“This crew of storytellers will use their voices to share their life-changing experience and inspire people across our planet for generations,” said Phil Joyce, Senior VP at Blue Origin.
A New Chapter for New Shepard
Blue Origin’s suborbital spaceflight program has taken off since its first crewed launch in 2021, offering a rare glimpse of Earth from space—and the opportunity to democratize access to the stars. NS-31 once again showcased the vehicle’s reusable capabilities, with smooth launch, separation, and return.
🚀 Rewatch the launch and explore mission memorabilia at BlueOrigin.com
📍 NS-31 launched from Launch Site One near Van Horn, Texas. Liftoff occurred at 8:30 a.m. CDT on April 14, 2025.
