Melissa Donovan
Blue Origin, the private space company founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully launched an all-female crew into space on Monday, marking another milestone in the era of commercial space travel. Among those on board were Lauren Sánchez, Bezos’ fiancée; pop star Katy Perry; and journalist Gayle King, alongside other accomplished women from the worlds of science, media, and advocacy.
The New Shepard rocket lifted off from Blue Origin’s launch site in West Texas, reaching the edge of space approximately 66 miles (107 kilometers) above Earth. The flight lasted about 10 minutes, offering the crew several minutes of weightlessness and panoramic views of the planet.
Joining Sánchez, Perry, and King were film producer Kerianne Flynn; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA engineer and founder of STEM-focused companies; and Amanda Nguyen, an advocate for survivors of sexual violence and a scientist known for her work on exoplanet research. Sánchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, reportedly invited the group to join her on this landmark flight.
Though Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of the trip or how the expenses were divided, the high-profile nature of the mission reflects the increasing role of space tourism in popular culture. The flight comes just two months before Sánchez and Bezos are set to marry in Venice, Italy.
Jeff Bezos, who flew on Blue Origin’s inaugural crewed mission in 2021, was present at the launch site and accompanied the crew to the pad. After the capsule’s return to Earth, Bezos personally opened the hatch and welcomed the passengers back, embracing Sánchez as she emerged first.
The launch drew a notable crowd of VIPs, including Oprah Winfrey and Kris Jenner, as well as several previous Blue Origin flyers. Winfrey, who attended in support of King, was visibly emotional during the launch, wiping away tears as the capsule reached space.
During the return to Earth, Katy Perry led a spontaneous moment of reflection by singing “What a Wonderful World.” She later emphasized the unity of the experience, stating, “It’s not about me. It’s not about singing my songs. It’s about a collective energy in there. It’s about us.”
This mission marked Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight since the company began launching passengers in 2021. To date, the Washington-based aerospace firm has flown 58 individuals, including celebrities, scientists, entrepreneurs, and influencers.
The company has a history of sending well-known figures to space. Previous flights have included Star Trek actor William Shatner, TV host Michael Strahan, and aviation trailblazers Wally Funk and Ed Dwight, among others. Ticket pricing remains undisclosed, contributing to public speculation about the financial accessibility of space travel.
Blue Origin isn’t the only company fueling the commercial spaceflight boom. The Russian space agency launched its first space tourist in 2001 and later filmed a movie aboard the International Space Station. Meanwhile, Elon Musk’s SpaceX offers longer, multi-day private spaceflights. Tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman has already flown twice with SpaceX and is now under consideration to lead NASA, pending Senate confirmation.
In another recent milestone, Chinese-born bitcoin investor Chun Wang completed the first private spaceflight over both the North and South Poles. Wang financed the SpaceX mission for himself and three polar explorers, calling the journey a testament to the new opportunities available in space travel.
“In this exciting new era of commercial spaceflight, the dream of becoming an astronaut is no longer limited to a select few,” Wang said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter).
As private companies continue to redefine who can reach space, Monday’s flight signals a growing shift in public perception — from spaceflight as a government-led endeavor to a new frontier for private citizens, celebrities, and changemakers alike.
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