It’s been over six decades since a woman traveled to space alone, but that’s about to change. On Monday, six remarkable women will embark on a historic journey aboard Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket. This mission marks the first all-female crew to fly to space since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963.
The crew includes pop star Katy Perry, author Lauren Sanchez, journalist Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn. They are set to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas at 8:30 AM local time (2:30 PM BST). The flight, part of the New Shepard program, is named NS-31 and aims to inspire future generations.
The trip will last about 11 minutes, reaching a height of 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth, crossing the Karman line, which is recognized as the boundary of space. However, despite entering space, the crew will not receive astronaut status from the Federal Aviation Administration, NASA, or the U.S. military due to their specific criteria for astronaut eligibility.
During their brief time in space, the crew will experience around four minutes of weightlessness, allowing them to float and enjoy stunning views of Earth through the capsule’s large windows. Afterward, the capsule will return to Earth using three parachutes.
So far, 52 people have flown with Blue Origin, including Bezos himself, who took part in the first mission in 2021. Notably, actor William Shatner became the oldest person in space at 90 years old after his flight with Blue Origin.
Sanchez, who is leading the mission, selected her crew based on their ability to inspire others. Perry expressed her excitement, saying she has wanted to go to space for nearly 20 years. King, initially hesitant about the trip, shared her apprehensions but ultimately decided to join. Bowe feels this moment has been a lifelong dream, while Nguyen and Flynn are thrilled about the opportunity.
The crew plans to take some unique items to space, including the original flag from Apollo 12, a stuffed animal, shells from Malaysia, and conch chowder, a dish Bowe grew up with. Perry even hinted at performing in space, aiming to be the first artist to sing above Earth.
In a lighter moment, the crew joked about getting glam for the flight, with Sanchez quipping about fake eyelashes potentially floating around the capsule. They aim to show that women can be both scientists and fashion-forward individuals.
As they prepare for this groundbreaking mission, these six women hope to share their experiences and inspire future generations of explorers.