On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission soared into history, carrying the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963. Launched from West Texas, the New Shepard rocket took six extraordinary women—Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn—across the Kármán line for an 11-minute suborbital journey.
This diverse group, spanning music, journalism, science, activism, and filmmaking, united to challenge norms and inspire millions. Their flight wasn’t just a trip to space; it was a bold statement about women’s potential to break barriers and redefine what’s possible. From personal dreams to professional triumphs, each woman brought a unique story to this cosmic adventure.
Katy Perry:
Katy Perry, born Katheryn Elizabeth Hudson on October 25, 1984, in Santa Barbara, California, is a global music sensation whose vibrant energy lit up the NS-31 mission. Raised in a religious household, Perry’s early career included a gospel album before she skyrocketed to fame with her 2008 hit “I Kissed a Girl.”
Her album Teenage Dream made history with five Billboard Hot 100 number-one singles, including “Firework” and “Roar,” cementing her as a pop culture force. With over 18 million albums sold and a net worth estimated at $400 million, Perry’s influence extends beyond music.
She’s a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, co-founded the Firework Foundation to empower kids through arts, and served as an American Idol judge. For the Blue Origin flight, Perry, call sign “Feather,” carried a symbolic item to honor Earth’s fragility, hoping to inspire her daughter, Daisy, shared with partner Orlando Bloom. Her infectious optimism and philanthropy made her a radiant presence in space, proving she’s as much a dreamer as a doer.
Lauren Sánchez:
Lauren Sánchez, born December 19, 1969, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is a multifaceted trailblazer whose vision shaped the NS-31 mission. A former Emmy-winning journalist, Sánchez anchored shows like Good Day LA and reported for Extra, earning respect for her sharp interviewing skills.
Her passion for aviation led her to become a licensed helicopter pilot, founding Black Ops Aviation, a company focused on aerial filming and women in flight. Engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, Sánchez organized this historic all-female crew, blending her love for adventure with a commitment to storytelling.
She’s also a New York Times bestselling author of The Fly Who Flew to Space, a children’s book inspired by her dyslexia advocacy. For the mission, Sánchez brought a stuffed animal from her book and personal mementos, symbolizing her role as a mother of three. Her leadership and warmth made her the mission’s heartbeat, showing that big dreams take flight with courage.
Gayle King:
Gayle King, born December 28, 1954, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, brought her journalistic prowess and infectious curiosity to the NS-31 crew. As co-host of CBS Mornings and editor-at-large for Oprah Daily, King’s empathetic interviewing style has made her a household name, with a career spanning over four decades.
Raised in a military family, she graduated from the University of Maryland and began as a news anchor in Baltimore before joining CBS in 2011. King’s accolades include multiple Emmy Awards and a spot on Time’s 100 Most Influential People list. A single mother of two, she’s known for her close friendship with Oprah Winfrey and her advocacy for women’s empowerment.
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For the flight, King, initially hesitant, prepared through meditation and brought photos and an item from her grandson, an aspiring astronaut. Her call sign, tied to her storytelling, reflected her mission to share the journey’s awe, proving it’s never too late to chase new horizons.
Aisha Bowe:
Aisha Bowe, born in 1985 in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is a former NASA rocket scientist whose journey from community college to space is nothing short of inspiring. After earning aerospace engineering degrees from the University of Michigan and Stanford, Bowe worked at NASA’s Ames Research Center, contributing to cutting-edge missions.
Now CEO of STEMBoard, a tech firm, and founder of Lingo, an ed-tech initiative, she’s dedicated to equipping students—especially women and minorities—with STEM skills. Of Bahamian heritage, Bowe’s advocacy earned her recognition on Inc.’s fastest-growing companies list.
For NS-31, she carried an Apollo 12 flag, plant samples from Winston-Salem State University, and dehydrated conch chowder, honoring her roots. Her call sign, “Star,” symbolized her ambition to inspire. Bowe’s intense training, including NASTAR simulations, showcased her discipline, making her a beacon for those told their dreams are too big.
Amanda Nguyen:
Amanda Nguyen, born October 10, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, became the first Vietnamese woman in space, carrying a legacy of resilience. A Harvard graduate with degrees in astrophysics, Nguyen interned at NASA, working on the Kepler exoplanet mission and the final space shuttle flight.
Beyond science, she’s a civil rights titan, founding Rise, a nonprofit that led to the 2016 Survivors’ Bill of Rights Act for sexual assault survivors. Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize and named Time’s Woman of the Year, Nguyen’s advocacy reshaped policy globally.
For the mission, she brought shells from the Malaysian island where her mother, a Vietnamese refugee, sought asylum, and a note reading, “Never ever give up,” reflecting her survival of assault. Her call sign, tied to justice, embodied her fight for equity. Nguyen’s presence in space was a powerful symbol of healing and reconciliation, blending science with humanity.
Kerianne Flynn:
Kerianne Flynn, born in Michigan, is a filmmaker and nonprofit advocate whose storytelling lens enriched the NS-31 mission. After a career in fashion and HR, Flynn pivoted to producing films like This Changes Everything (2018), exploring women in Hollywood, and LILLY (2024), honoring fair-pay advocate Lilly Ledbetter.
Raised stargazing with her grandfather, her love for exploration fueled her nonprofit work with organizations like The High Line and Hudson River Park. Flynn’s Blue Origin flight was a chance to inspire her son, Dex, and young dreamers. She underwent zero-gravity simulations to prepare, embracing the mission’s physical demands.
Carrying a film reel-inspired item, her call sign reflected her creative spirit. Flynn’s grounded yet adventurous perspective brought depth to the crew, showing how storytelling can bridge Earth and the stars, leaving a legacy of empowerment.
The NS-31 mission, with Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn, was more than a flight—it was a testament to women’s boundless potential. Each brought a piece of their world to space: Perry’s philanthropy, Sánchez’s aviation passion, King’s narrative gift, Bowe’s STEM advocacy, Nguyen’s fight for justice, and Flynn’s cinematic vision.
Their custom Monse flight suits and mission patch, featuring six unique symbols, wove their stories into a collective triumph. From weightless moments to Earth’s breathtaking view, they returned with perspectives to share, sparking conversations about diversity, ambition, and exploration.
As Blue Origin’s 11th crewed flight, NS-31 proved that when women unite, they don’t just reach the stars—they redefine the sky for generations to come.