Unprecedented mission will take a group of pioneering women to space, including pop singer Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend, journalist Lauren Sánchez.

Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has announced a significant milestone for the space tourism industry: the first crewed mission exclusively made up of women. On board the New Shepard (NS-31) spacecraft, the team will consist of six women from various fields, including 40-year-old pop singer Katy Perry and 55-year-old journalist and businesswoman Lauren Sánchez.

The flight, which does not yet have a confirmed date, will be Blue Origin’s 11th crewed launch, solidifying the company as one of the leaders in democratizing access to space. The mission is set to be historic, not only because of the female presence but also for the symbolism of taking women who represent innovation, art, science, technology, and media to space.

Katy Perry’s participation in the NS-31 flight represents more than just a milestone for space tourism. With a career established as one of the best-selling artists of all time, with over 115 billion streams on music platforms and numerous international awards, Perry joins the mission as a representative of the impact of pop culture on science and technology.

The artist, who has always shown interest in technology and innovation, also shared her excitement about the experience, highlighting that traveling to space is the fulfillment of a dream. In past interviews, Katy revealed her fascination with the cosmos and her public curiosity about space travel and the exploration of new worlds.

Additionally, her involvement in the mission may inspire a new generation of young people to become interested in science and space engineering, fields traditionally dominated by men.

Journalist Lauren Sánchez, who will also be aboard the New Shepard, has a professional background marked by pioneering work in the aviation and communication sectors. With an established career in television journalism, having worked as a host and reporter for major U.S. networks, Sánchez expanded her horizons by founding Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned and operated aerial film production company in the United States.

In addition to being a businesswoman, Sánchez is a certified helicopter pilot and has participated in various strategic aerial operations, including film shoots and humanitarian efforts.

In recent years, she has become an increasingly influential figure in the aerospace sector, closely following Blue Origin’s initiatives alongside Jeff Bezos. Her involvement in the NS-31 mission symbolizes an important step toward increasing female representation in the space sector.

In previous interviews, Lauren highlighted her passion for aviation and exploration, stating that she believes space should be accessible to all. Her participation in the flight reinforces this vision and solidifies her as an active advocate for democratizing space travel.

In addition to Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez, the crew will include four other notable women, each bringing a unique contribution to the mission:

1. Aisha Bowe – Aerospace engineer and space entrepreneur
   Aisha Bowe is an aerospace engineer and former NASA rocket scientist. Her career in the aerospace industry is marked by initiatives encouraging the entry of women and minorities into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) careers. Bowe also founded STEMBoard, a company that develops technology for government and private organizations.
2. Amanda Nguyen – Researcher and Nobel Peace Prize nominee
   Amanda Nguyen is a bioastronautics researcher and founder of Rise, an organization that advocates for the rights of sexual violence survivors. Her scientific work includes studies on the effects of space travel on the human body, essential research for the development of long-duration space missions.
3. Gayle King – Award-winning journalist and one of the most influential voices in U.S. media
   Gayle King is the host and co-host of the renowned CBS Mornings program. Throughout her career, she has interviewed influential political figures and celebrities. Her participation in the flight demonstrates the role of media in disseminating scientific advances and technological innovations.
4. Kerianne Flynn – Entrepreneur and social activist
   Kerianne Flynn is known for her work in the political documentary production sector and advocacy for humanitarian causes. Her presence in the mission reinforces Blue Origin’s commitment to giving visibility to relevant social issues within the context of space exploration.

In recent years, Blue Origin has established itself as one of the leading companies in the space tourism sector. Since it began its crewed missions, the company has broken records and taken civilians to space in short-duration experiences, providing a unique view of Earth from suborbital orbit.

Among the company’s most notable achievements is the launch of astronaut Karsen Kitchen, who, at 21 years old, became the youngest woman to travel to space on a flight that took place on February 25, 2024.

With the NS-31 flight, Blue Origin aims to strengthen its commitment to inclusion and diversity in space exploration. This all-female mission represents a significant step in the presence of women in a sector historically dominated by men and may open doors for future initiatives that encourage more women to actively participate in the space industry.

The exact date of the NS-31 flight has yet to be confirmed, but there are speculations that it could take place in the first half of this year. The launch will take place in West Texas, where Blue Origin conducts its tests and crewed missions.

As with previous flights, the journey is expected to last about 10 to 11 minutes, with the crew experiencing zero gravity for approximately four minutes before returning to Earth.

Regardless of the date, the mission already enters history as a symbol of the evolution of space exploration and women’s participation in the sector. With a team of pioneering women from different fields, Blue Origin’s NS-31 flight promises to inspire millions of people worldwide, showing that the sky—and space—is not the limit for women.