BREAKING NEWS: As American billionaire Jeff Bezos prepares to send celebrities into space, his Blue Origin company is using them as its latest marketing tactic.
With an all-female crew, Blue Origin prepares for its groundbreaking mission today. It will launch the historic human spaceflight from Launch Site One in West Texas.
New Shepard’s 31st mission marks the first all-women spaceflight since 1963, highlighting Blue Origin’s strides in diversifying astronaut representation.
Participants, including journalist Gayle King, music artist Katy Perry, and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, are part of an 11-minute journey to the edge of space.
The all-female flight will be onboard the New Shepard rocket, reaching over 100km above Earth, crossing the boundary of space but not entering orbit.
This autonomous flight will allow the crew to experience weightlessness and view Earth from a perspective few have seen.
With no pilots aboard, they must rely entirely on the spacecraft’s automated systems.
Today’s launch is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET and will be live-streamed. It will also be Blue Origin’s 11th civilian launch since its debut.
The crew underwent their final training sessions at the launch site in Van Horn, Texas.
They will be dressing in specially designed flight suits for the occasion, which feature their last names, the Blue Origin logo, and a NASA patch.
Welcome to West Texas, NS-31 crew! pic.twitter.com/8dFPqiaiZW
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 13, 2025
This collaboration features designs created with Monse co-founders Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, adding a touch of elegance and individualism.
Katy Perry shared a personal connection to the mission, mentioning how her mom has always called her “feather,” and the capsule has that very same design in its outline.
The New Shepard rocket’s design focuses on reusability, with its vertically landing booster aimed at cost reduction.
Space tourism has faced criticism for its exclusivity and environmental impact, though proponents believe it speeds up innovation.
While some argue the benefits, others emphasize the gap between the wealthy enjoying such experiences and those facing struggles with basic needs.
Katy Perry, who has dreamt of going to space for 15 years, can finally fulfill this aspiration.
This mission is both an accomplishment and a reminder of the ongoing debates surrounding space travel’s societal importance.
As critics and supporters weigh in, all eyes will certainly be on Blue Origin’s launch.
The event could signify either progress in gender representation or underscore the increasing divide between elites and the common American.
