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Blue Origin Launches Historic All-Female Crew into Space
Blue Origin, the aerospace venture established by Jeff Bezos, successfully sent its first all-female crew into space on Monday. The mission featured six women, including Lauren Sánchez, Bezos’s partner; renowned journalist Gayle King; and global music icon Katy Perry, who embarked on a journey aboard the New Shepard rocket.
The flight lasted approximately 11 minutes and included four minutes of weightlessness. The rocket ascended to a peak altitude of 62 miles above the Earth, reaching the Kármán line, which marks the threshold of space, before safely returning to the surface in the Texas desert.
Expressing her emotions during a post-flight webcast, Sánchez said, “I don’t really have words for it. I’m so proud of this crew.” She reflected on the experience as one filled with “joy and complete togetherness,” showcasing the camaraderie shared among the crew members.
Perry shared her perspective, stating that the mission was centered on “appreciating Earth” and that this experience was eclipsed only by the joys of motherhood. “It is surrender to the unknown,” she added. “I couldn’t recommend this experience more.”
This landmark event occurred at 9:30 a.m. ET from Blue Origin’s launch facility in Van Horn, Texas, and represents the first time since 1963 that an all-female crew has ventured into space in such a capacity. It marks Blue Origin’s 11th human flight.
The crew also included former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, producer Kerianne Flynn, and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, reflecting a diverse representation of expertise and backgrounds.
Blue Origin has been offering space tourism experiences since 2021. Reservations for a seat require a deposit of $150,000, although it remains unclear whether the participants on this particular flight incurred this cost.
Watch the liftoff here:
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