On April 14, Blue Origin made history by launching its first all-female spaceflight, a mission that sparked headlines. While some believe that it was a media stunt, the truth is much more meaningful. This space mission marked a powerful moment of progress in a field that is dominated by men. According to NASA and Sky at Night Magazine, as of 2023, just seventy-two women had flown in space, compared to over five hundred men. This statistic speaks for itself, due to this gap highlighting why missions like Blue Origin’s all-female flight matter.
They broke tradition and encouraged a new generation of women to explore careers in STEM. The crew included six women from diverse backgrounds and professions, making this inspiring to the progress being made: journalist and pilot Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, pop star and UNICEF ambassador Katy Perry, media icon Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and civil rights activist and scientist Amanda Nguyen were on board.
Due to the involvement of celebrities like Katy Perry and Gayle King, who play a huge role in social media, some critics claim that the mission’s impact is less meaningful because of the crew’s fame and wealth, suggesting that it was more of a publicity move than real progress. While it is true that some participants are celebrities, focusing only on their privilege takes away from the bigger picture–their presence in space wasn’t just about status, but about breaking barriers.
Amanda Nguyen’s story has become inspiring to tell. Nguyen is a sexual assault survivor and because of this she founded Rise, a nonprofit dedicated to advocating for sexual assault surviors. These efforts led to the passing of the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of rights in the U.S., making an impact on the lives of survivors across the county. Along with this, Nguyen is a recognized scientist with experience at NASA, so her role on this mission was not just symbolic, but a powerful connection between personal struggle and scientific achievement. Reported by The Independent, Blue Origins was an all-female spaceflight that sparked a larger cultural shift as Nguyen became the first Vietnamese woman to go to space. Representation matters, especially in fields like aerospace where women have been underrepresented.
Ngyuen’s participation in the mission shows how a certain field or work can become an arena for diverse voices, and her story has become an inspiration for people to imagine themselves in roles they once thought were unattainable. The Guardian agrees, seeing women like Aisha Bowe, Gayle King and Nguyen in these high profile roles as changing the long held stereotypes and opening doors for future generations. Each of these six women has highlighted a long-standing field that remains open and accessible to all. Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight in 2025 marked an important step forward in the push for gender equality in space. It challenged the outdated belief that space is a place only for men and proved that women–no matter their background or status, deserve a place in the stars. Amanda Nguyen’s story, from survivor to activist to astronaut, captured the heart of what this mission was really about: progress. This wasn’t just a trip to space, it was a move toward a future that’s more inclusive and equal for everyone.
The Blue Origin NS-31 mission, launched on April 14, 2025, was presented as a historic all-female spaceflight. However, its execution appeared more as a display of privilege than a genuine advancement for women in science and exploration.
The crew included pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, activist Amanda Nguyen, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos. While the mission was marketed as a significant step for women in space, the inclusion of celebrities with no scientific background, such as Perry, raised questions about the mission’s true intent. Critics argued that the flight prioritized spectacle over substance, with little scientific contribution or meaningful advancement for women in STEM fields. The eleven-minute suborbital trip was seen as more of a publicity stunt than a genuine effort to promote gender equality in space.
Public figures expressed disdain for the mission. Model Emily Ratajkowski criticized the environmental impact of the space tourism venture, accusing Blue Origin of “destroying the planet”. Actress Olivia Munn labeled the flight as “gluttonous,” questioning its purpose during a time of economic hardship. Even fast-food chain Wendy’s joined the criticism, sarcastically suggesting sending Perry back to space.
Katy Perry, in particular, faced significant backlash for her participation. Her decision to sing “What a Wonderful World” during the flight and reveal her tour setlist was mocked as self-indulgent. In response to the backlash, Perry described herself as a “human piñata” and emphasized her resilience, attributing her strength to therapy and self-awareness, according to The Guardian.
Beyond the optics of celebrity spectacle, the environmental implications of the Blue Origin NS-31 mission cannot be overlooked. While Blue Origin touts its New Shepard rocket as environmentally friendly due to its use of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, the production of these fuels is energy-intensive and often reliant on non-renewable energy sources, leading to significant carbon emissions, according to an article published by Tom Chaman for UNILAD Tech.
Studies have shown that rocket launches emit pollutants, including nitrogen oxides and black carbon, into the upper atmosphere. These emissions can deplete the ozone layer and contribute to global warming. For instance, in a 2022 study published in the journal Earth’s Future, researchers from UCL, the University of Cambridge and Massachusetts Institute of Technology estimated that routine space tourism could have substantial effects on climate and ozone, motivating the need for regulation.
The environmental cost of such missions is further compounded by their limited scientific value. Unlike missions aimed at advancing scientific knowledge, the NS-31 flight was primarily a suborbital trip lasting just over ten minutes, with minimal research conducted. This raises concerns about the justification of the environmental impact for what is essentially a brief, recreational experience.
In an era where climate change poses an existential threat, the prioritization of space tourism for the wealthy, at the expense of environmental sustainability, reflects a troubling misalignment of values. The Blue Origin NS-31 mission serves as a stark example of how corporate interests can overshadow genuine progress, exploiting both environmental resources and public goodwill under the guise of empowerment and exploration.
