Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company, Blue Origin, made headlines again this week by sending its latest group of space tourists—including Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sanchez—on a brief but breathtaking journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere. The mission, which took off from West Texas on Monday, marked a milestone as the first U.S. spaceflight with an all-female crew, featuring high-profile passengers like singer Katy Perry and CBS anchor Gayle King.
A Star-Studded Trip to the Edge of Space
The New Shepard rocket carried the six women on a 10-minute suborbital flight, reaching an altitude of about 65 miles (105 kilometers) before descending back to Earth. The fully automated trip provided a few minutes of weightlessness and stunning views of the planet below.
Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, organized the flight, handpicking her fellow travelers to highlight women’s achievements in science, entertainment, and activism. Alongside Perry and King were:
- Kerianne Flynn, a film producer
- Aisha Bowe, a former NASA engineer turned STEM advocate
- Amanda Nguyen, a scientist and civil rights activist
Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of the flight or whether the passengers paid for their seats. The launch comes just two months before Sanchez and Bezos are set to marry in Venice.
A Step Forward for Women in Space
While more than 700 people have traveled to space, women still make up only about 15% of that number. The last all-female spaceflight was in 1963, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Sanchez said she intentionally chose an all-women crew to inspire future generations.
“It’s an important moment for the future of commercial space travel and for humanity in general and for women all around,” Perry told The Associated Press before the flight.
The emotional launch drew VIP spectators, including Oprah Winfrey, who teared up as the capsule reached space. Over the radio, the crew could be heard gasping at the sight of the Moon and cheering in excitement.
Blue Origin’s Growing Space Tourism Business
This was Blue Origin’s 11th crewed mission since Bezos—who founded the company in 2000 after building Amazon—first flew on its inaugural tourist flight in 2021. Since then, the company has sent up a mix of celebrities, scientists, and adventurers, including:
- William Shatner (90 years old at launch)
- Michael Strahan, former NFL star and TV host
- Wally Funk (82) and Ed Dwight (90), aviation pioneers who finally reached space decades after their initial dreams
While most passengers have been business leaders, TV personalities, or YouTubers, Blue Origin keeps ticket prices under wraps. Meanwhile, competitors like SpaceX and Russia’s space agency have also launched private citizens, including actors and billionaires, on longer orbital missions.
A New Era of Space Travel
As commercial spaceflight expands, more people—particularly the wealthy and well-connected—are getting the chance to experience space. Chinese-born investor Chun Wang, who recently completed a polar-orbiting SpaceX flight, summed it up: “In this exciting new era, the dream of becoming an astronaut is no longer limited to a select few.”
For now, Blue Origin’s latest mission stands out not just for its celebrity power but for its symbolic step toward greater inclusivity in space exploration. Whether this momentum continues—and whether costs eventually come down for the average person—remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: space is no longer just for astronauts.