Blue Origin is gearing up for an extraordinary mission, set to make history with an all-female crew on its New Shepard NS-31 flight. The spaceflight, scheduled for this spring, will feature pop icon Katy Perry, television personality Gayle King, and philanthropist Lauren Sanchez among its six-member crew. This mission marks the 11th human flight in Blue Origin's New Shepard program, further solidifying the company's commitment to increasing accessibility to space travel.
The New Shepard rocket, a cornerstone of Blue Origin's human spaceflight endeavors, offers a brief yet thrilling journey past the edge of space. In a trip lasting approximately 10 minutes, the reusable spacecraft will allow its passengers to experience the wonder of microgravity for a couple of minutes before safely returning them to Earth. To date, Blue Origin's New Shepard has successfully carried 52 individuals into space, showcasing its reliability and pioneering spirit in the commercial spaceflight industry.
Joining Perry, King, and Sanchez on this remarkable voyage are aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and bioastronautics research scientist and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen. This eclectic mix of accomplished women highlights the diverse backgrounds and expertise that Blue Origin seeks to celebrate and promote through its missions.
Blue Origin's reputation for hosting high-profile passengers on its flights precedes this upcoming launch. Previously, the company sent its billionaire founder Jeff Bezos and Canadian actor William Shatner on similar missions. This new endeavor underscores Blue Origin's ongoing efforts to democratize space travel and provide unique opportunities for individuals from various fields to experience the cosmos.
The announcement of the new crew comes amidst significant changes within the company. Recently, Blue Origin laid off approximately 1,400 employees, or 10% of its workforce, following several years of rapid expansion. Despite these challenges, the company continues to push forward with ambitious projects, including the recent successful launch of its New Glenn rocket into orbit for the first time last month.