Several people are about to head into space, thanks to a mission by an aerospace company. Among them are two prominent journalists and one of the world’s most famous pop stars.
In February 2025, Blue Origin revealed that six individuals will join its NS-31 mission. This journey marks the 11th time people have flown with the New Shepard program and the 31st launch in the company’s overall record.
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This flight also marks another big moment for Blue Origin. So far, 52 people have crossed the Kármán line — the point that many experts agree is the start of space — through the New Shepard program. What makes this mission special is its crew.
For the first time since 1963, when Valentina Tereshkova flew alone, an all-female team will head to space. Joining this historic flight are six trailblazing women—a pop star, two journalists, a rocket scientist, an activist, and a filmmaker — each with a unique path to space. Meet the crew making history.
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Aisha Bowe
Bowe brings a powerful mix of science, leadership, and purpose to the NS-31 mission. Her journey began in community college and led her to NASA, where she worked as a rocket scientist.
Today, the Michigan native heads STEMBoard, an engineering firm recognized twice on the Inc. 5000 list, and launched LINGO, an education platform created to teach tech skills to one million students. She is also set to become the first person of Bahamian descent to reach space.
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While aboard, Bowe will carry postcards from students around the world and conduct three research experiments, including work on plant growth and the effects of space on the human body. Her aim is clear — to use the knowledge gained in space to improve life on Earth.
Amanda Nguyễn
Nguyễn studies how space affects the human body, a field known as bioastronautics. She graduated from Harvard and has carried out research at places like MIT, NASA, and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences.
The civil rights activist also played a part in NASA’s final shuttle mission, STS-135, and helped with the Kepler project, which searched for planets beyond our solar system.
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Her work in science is matched by her impact on society. Nguyễn has become a global advocate for sexual violence survivors, earning a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and being named one of TIME’s Women of the Year.
When she flies with Blue Origin, she will become the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman to reach space. Her mission shines a light on how science can help bring understanding and unity between nations.
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Gayle King
King is a seasoned journalist with a long, award-winning career. She co-hosts “CBS Mornings,” serves as editor-at-large for Oprah Daily, and leads her own show, “Gayle King in the House,” on SiriusXM.
Known for her thoughtful style and ability to ask the questions that matter, she has become one of television’s most trusted voices. As part of Blue Origin’s historic all-women flight, King sees this experience as more than just a milestone.
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The broadcaster embraces the challenge with courage and curiosity, saying she’s proud to join a mission that pushes her beyond her usual path. For her, space is not just a destination — it’s a bold step into the unknown.
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Katy Perry
Perry stands among the best-selling artists in music history, holding the record as Capitol Records’ top-selling female performer. Her songs have been streamed over 115 billion times around the world. Yet her work doesn’t stop at music.
As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, she champions children’s rights, and through her Firework Foundation, she helps kids from underserved backgrounds find strength through artistic expression.
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Joining this spaceflight is a personal milestone for Perry. She shared that being part of the first all-women crew is something she values deeply. Above all, she hopes her journey inspires her daughter and others to dream big — both in their hearts and across the stars.
For Perry, the invitation to join this groundbreaking mission came with a mix of excitement and a touch of disbelief. When asked how she reacted to the news in a recent joint interview, she recalled:
“I was like, What am I going to wear? I have wanted to go to space for almost 20 years. I was investigating all of the possible commercial options. Even when Blue Origin was first talking about commercial travel to space, I was like, ‘Sign me up! I’m first in line.'”
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Perry was surprised when she got the invitation, especially after learning it was the first all-female crew. She shared that she looks for signs during big moments, and seeing a feather on the space pod — a nickname her mother gave her — felt like a clear message to say yes.
While Perry felt a personal connection to the mission, not everyone shared her enthusiasm. Reactions online were mixed, with some questioning her involvement and others offering encouragement.
One person wrote, “I’m disappointed…. That seat should be for someone aspiring to be an astronaut, not a celebrity.” Meanwhile, others showed support. “So proud of you Katy! Have a safe and happy journey into space and back home from space,” commented another.
Some responses struck a more cautious tone. “Girl just please don’t die,” one fan posted. Another added, “She shouldn’t do this with a small child.”
Kerianne Flynn
Flynn’s career began in fashion and human resources, but for the past ten years, she has focused on giving back. Through her work with nonprofits such as The Allen-Stevenson School, The High Line, and Hudson River Park, she has helped build stronger communities.
Her interest in powerful stories led her to produce films like “This Changes Everything” (2018), which examines the role of women in Hollywood, and “LILLY” (2024), a film honoring fair-pay advocate Lilly Ledbetter.
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The film producer has always been drawn to adventure and space, and this flight with Blue Origin gives her a chance to pursue both. She hopes it will inspire her son and others to dream big and reach far.
Lauren Sánchez
Sánchez, who brought the mission together, is an Emmy Award-winning journalist, New York Times bestselling author, skilled pilot, and mother of three.
She also serves as Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, where she supports efforts to protect the planet. In 2016, she launched Black Ops Aviation, the first aerial film company owned and operated by a woman.
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In 2024, she released her first children’s book, “The Fly Who Flew to Space,” which quickly became a New York Times bestseller. That same year, she was honored with the Elling Halvorson Vertical Flight Hall of Fame Award for her work as a helicopter pilot and leader in aviation.
By bringing this mission to life, Sánchez hopes to light a spark in future explorers — to dream bigger, aim higher, and see space not as a limit, but as a beginning.
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In a joint interview, Jeff Bezos’s fiancée, who led the organization of the historic mission, explained her reason for choosing this group of women:
“All of these women are storytellers in their own right. They’re going to go up to space and be able to spread what they felt in different ways.”
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Sánchez also shared her hope that this team would help expand the idea of what explorers look like for younger generations. The need for that shift is clear.
More than 60 years have passed since a woman traveled to space without men. And to this day, women make up only about 11 percent of the people who have ever been to space. With this flight, Sánchez and her crew hope to help change that — by showing that the future of space includes everyone.
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Blue Origin announced that its spaceflight is set to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas on April 14, 2025. To mark the mission, the company also unveiled the NS-31 patch — a design filled with meaning. Each symbol honors a member of the crew and their journey.
A target star represents Bowe’s drive to aim high, her love for science and technology, and her mission to guide young minds toward big dreams. Scales of justice appear for Nguyễn, highlighting her work for civil rights and her role in helping others create lasting change.
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A shooting star shaped like a microphone reflects King’s devotion to telling stories that matter. A firework stands for Perry’s worldwide impact in music, culture, and charitable work.
A film reel pays tribute to Flynn’s dedication to storytelling and the art of film. Lastly, a special guest appears on the patch — Flynn the Fly, the character from Sánchez’s bestselling children’s book “The Fly Who Flew to Space,” reminding children with learning challenges that they, too, can reach new heights.
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While the patch tells the story of each crew member, the mission itself will deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The journey is set to last around 11 minutes, carrying the crew more than 62 miles above Earth.
This will take them past the Kármán line, the point recognized around the world as the edge of space, and give them a short window to experience weightlessness.
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The NS-31 mission is more than a flight — it’s a symbol of possibility, driven by six women from different walks of life. Together, they remind the world that space exploration is not just about reaching new heights, but about who gets to rise.
