MOMENTS FROM NOW: Blue Origin’s latest venture is drawing interest from around the world as it is set to send six women to space.
Although some hail it as a milestone for female astronauts, critics argue this adventure is merely another example of elitist excess.
Blue Origin is launching a historic all-female human spaceflight from Launch Site One in West Texas.
The launch is scheduled for today at 9:30 a.m. ET, marking Blue Origin’s 11th civilian flight.
New Shepard’s 31st is the first all-female spaceflight since 1963. Despite this nod to history, the project has raised concerns about exclusivity and environmental harm.
The mission includes notable figures like journalist Gayle King, music artist Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, and scientist Amanda Nguyen.
“I’ve dreamt of going to space for 15 years and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality,” Perry said while waiting for the flight.
She also expressed personal connections, seeing a symbolic feather outline on the capsule as confirming her involvement.
The NS-31 crew is certified ‘ready to fly to space’ by CrewMember 7 Sarah Knights. The launch window opens tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 13:30 UTC.
You can watch the live webcast here tomorrow at 7 a.m. CDT, hosted by Charissa Thompson, Kristin Fisher, and Ariane Cornell. pic.twitter.com/auKPJvtSl3
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025
“When I was invited to come on this voyage, I looked up the capsule. On the very front of it is the outline in the shape of a feather and when I saw that it was like a total confirmation because my mum has always called me feather,” Perry stated.
During the 11-minute autonomous flight with no pilots, the crew will experience weightlessness and view Earth. The mission will cross the boundary of space but will not enter orbit.
Designed to be reusable, the New Shepard rocket requires a $150,000 deposit, signaling its premium nature and limiting access to a privileged few.
While critics highlight this disparity, supporters argue that space travel might spur future innovations.
Final training sessions for the crew are underway in Van Horn, Texas. The women will wear specially designed flight suits with patches, names, and logos, recently redesigned by Sanchez.
“Usually, you know, these suits are made for a man. Then they get tailored to fit a woman. I think the suits are elegant, but they also bring a little spice to space,” Sanchez declared.
Blue Origin will livestream the launch, expecting a high viewership from interested people around the globe.
While this development garners widespread attention, critics still point to the role of space tourism and the growing divide between its accessibility and environmental implications.
