Gayle King and Katy Perry, along with three other women, were set to make history by becoming the first all-female crew to go to space since 1963 on a Blue Origin rocket. The flight was scheduled to take off from Launch Site One in West Texas on the New Shepard rocket, which provides a few minutes of weightlessness. Among the passengers was Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist, Kerianne Flynn, a film producer, and Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist and advocate for sexual assault survivors. Nguyen expressed her excitement for the opportunity, calling it a dream come true after her studies in astrophysics and activism work.
While the historic mission was seen as a significant moment for female representation in space exploration, some critics viewed it more cynically as a display of wealth and privilege. Actress Olivia Munn criticized the trip as “a bit gluttonous” during a guest hosting appearance, questioning the importance of such a venture amidst other pressing global issues. Others raised concerns about Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and Blue Origin, who has faced scrutiny for business practices at Amazon and leadership decisions at The Washington Post. Despite these concerns, Gayle King emphasized that the mission was bigger than one person or company and chose to focus on the significance of the opportunity.
Jeff Bezos has invested heavily in Blue Origin and has expressed his vision for a future where humans live in space colonies. The New Shepard rocket, named after Alan Shepard, the first American to reach space in 1961, has completed 11 human flights and flown 52 people above the Kármán line, the boundary of space. Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez, was also set to be on board the NS-31 mission. The flight marks a significant moment in space exploration history, with Katy Perry adding her celebrity status to the milestone achieved by the all-female crew.
The mission was not without controversy, as some questioned the symbolism of an all-female crew on a space tourism venture that caters to the wealthy and well-connected. Despite these criticisms, the crew, including Gayle King and Katy Perry, remained focused on the historic significance of their journey into space. The flight aimed to break barriers for women in STEM fields and provide inspiration for future generations of female explorers. As the launch was set to take place, the crew prepared for an unforgettable experience of weightlessness and the vastness of space on the New Shepard rocket.
The importance of representation and diversity in space exploration was highlighted by the all-female crew, which included individuals with backgrounds in rocket science, film production, and bioastronautics research. Amanda Nguyen, the bioastronautics research scientist and advocate for sexual assault survivors, emphasized the role of gender-based violence in driving women away from STEM fields and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to fulfill her dream of going to space. The crew’s diverse backgrounds and achievements added depth to the historic mission and highlighted the broader impact of increasing female representation in the field of space exploration.
In the face of criticisms and questions surrounding the mission’s significance, the crew remained focused on the historic nature of the journey and the opportunity to break barriers for women in space exploration. The flight marked a milestone for female representation in the field and provided inspiration for future generations of female astronauts. With the support of Jeff Bezos’ investment in Blue Origin and the crew’s determination to make history, the all-female crew set out to embark on a journey that would not only defy expectations but also pave the way for more diverse and inclusive exploration of space in the future.
