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Blue Origin has successfully completed its 11th human spaceflight for the New Shepard program, marking a powerful moment in space exploration and gender representation. The NS-31 mission, which launched and landed safely on Sunday, featured a historic all-female crew composed of six remarkable women: Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez, who also played a leading role in organizing the mission.
With this latest flight, Blue Origin has now taken 58 people to space aboard New Shepard, including four individuals who have flown twice. The company continues to champion accessibility in commercial spaceflight, and this mission was no exception.
“What a privilege to witness this crew of trailblazers depart the capsule today,” said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of New Shepard at Blue Origin. “Each of these women is a storyteller who will use their voices—individually and together—to channel their life-changing experience today into creating lasting impact that will inspire people across our planet for generations.”
The mission patch for NS-31 is rich in symbolism, with elements that reflect each astronaut’s passions and contributions. A target star represents Aisha Bowe’s commitment to STEM and her personal journey from community college to space. The scales of justice highlight Amanda Nguyễn’s relentless advocacy for civil rights. A shooting star microphone honors Gayle King’s dedication to journalism. A firework celebrates Katy Perry’s cultural influence through music and philanthropy. A film reel symbolizes Kerianne Flynn’s storytelling and advocacy for women’s voices. And Flynn the Fly, the main character from Lauren Sánchez’s children’s book The Fly Who Flew to Space, joins the symbolic imagery as a beacon of hope for children with learning differences.
This mission holds special significance as the first all-female spaceflight crew since Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to fly solo into space in 1963. More than six decades later, these six women redefine what space exploration looks like and who it includes.
Among them is Aisha Bowe, an aerospace engineer and former NASA rocket scientist who is now the CEO of STEMBoard and founder of LINGO, an initiative focused on expanding access to STEM education. Bowe, who will become the first person of Bahamian descent to fly to space, carried postcards from students around the world and conducted scientific experiments on topics ranging from plant biology to human physiology. Her story is a powerful message of perseverance, transformation, and access to opportunity.
Joining her is Amanda Nguyễn, a bioastronautics researcher and Nobel Peace Prize nominee. With an academic background that includes MIT, NASA, and the Harvard Center for Astrophysics, Nguyễn brings profound scientific expertise to the mission. As the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman astronaut, her journey serves as a symbol of reconciliation, scientific progress, and advocacy.
The crew also included public figures whose influence spans journalism, entertainment, and activism. Gayle King, veteran broadcaster and co-host of CBS Mornings, brought her signature blend of curiosity and integrity to the mission. Her participation underscores the importance of storytelling in connecting people to science and space exploration.
Katy Perry, the internationally acclaimed pop icon and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, joined the mission with a desire to inspire the next generation—especially her daughter—through her work in philanthropy and global education. Her foundation, the Firework Foundation, aims to provide underserved youth with opportunities for creative expression.
Kerianne Flynn, a community leader and film producer, represented women in media and mothers everywhere. She dedicated her journey to encouraging her son and helping more women’s stories be heard and seen.
Completing the crew was Lauren Sánchez, Emmy-winning journalist, helicopter pilot, and Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. A seasoned advocate for environmental protection and space exploration, Sánchez played a central role in bringing this all-female mission to life. Her presence reflected a broader vision of sustainability and inclusivity in humanity’s next chapter beyond Earth.
Together, these six women shattered expectations, made history, and reminded the world that the future of space isn’t just male—it’s universal. Their journey was more than symbolic; it was transformational, for them and for all those watching from Earth.
