Blue Origin made history on Monday with its first all-women crew soaring 62 miles above Earth to the edge of space—the Kármán line—aboard the NS-31 mission, the 11th human flight of Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard program. The flight included “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King, pop icon Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, and activist Amanda Nguyen. It marked the first all-female spaceflight in nearly 60 years and a series of milestones: Bowe became the first Bahamian in space, and Nguyen the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman.
The 11-minute journey included roughly four minutes of weightlessness as the crew floated in the capsule, marveling at the Earth below. Gayle King, who has a fear of flying, overcame her anxiety and described the moment as “peaceful” and “profound.” Katy Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” during the trip, a touching nod to Earth and her daughter Daisy. Sánchez, who organized the all-women mission, called the experience “profound,” while Oprah Winfrey praised King’s bravery, saying it was more than just a trip—it was a personal victory.
Following the return, the capsule landed smoothly, and each crew member emerged in celebration. Flynn declared, “I went to space!” and King kissed the ground in gratitude.
Blue Origin emphasized the mission’s role in expanding access to space and inspiring future generations. The fully autonomous spacecraft, with its reusable booster and safety systems, completed the mission flawlessly, underscoring its goal to advance space travel for civilians.
