It wasn’t a scientific mission, but the first all-female tourist flight organized by Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space company. A short, suborbital mission, destined to make headlines — and Instagram history, too. Mission NS-31 was the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s journey in 1963, as six women took flight aboard the New Shepard rocket.
The crew included: Lauren Sánchez, pilot and mission leader, and Jeff Bezos’ partner; pop icon and singer Katy Perry; Gayle King, journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings; Aisha Bowe, former NASA scientist and STEM entrepreneur; Kerianne Flynn, a film producer dedicated to telling women’s stories; and last but not least, Amanda Nguyễn, activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee.
The flight, lasting about 11 minutes, reached the Kármán line — the official boundary of space — offering passengers a few minutes of microgravity and spectacular views of Earth.
Katy Perry, visibly emotional, commented: “If someone had told me as a little girl, I would have believed it… but actually living it is another story!” She added that the experience showed her “how much love is inside of me.” During the flight, she carried a daisy (thinking of her daughter Daisy): “Daisies are common flowers that grow in any condition; to me, they are like God’s smile but also a reminder of our beautiful Earth. The beautiful magic is all around us, even in a simple daisy.”
For former NASA scientist Aisha Bowe, “There are no limits, there are no borders, there is only Earth” when you reach the edge of space. The best part? “Everything. When we got up there and out of our seats, we all looked at each other and it was simply beautiful, so beautiful.” And she added: “Dream it, plan it, and go do it. I never really thought I could go to space… but today confirmed to me that dreams are real and sometimes reality is wrong.” Of course, for those who can afford it.
For Lauren Sánchez, who curated the composition of the crew and embraced Jeff Bezos upon exiting the capsule: “each crew member brought a unique story, and this journey was an act of representation and inspiration for future generations.”
Although the mission received praise for its symbolic and inclusive value, it wasn’t without criticism. Actress Olivia Munn questioned the scientific relevance of the flight, accusing the participants of seeking attention rather than contributing to scientific progress. However, mission NS-31 can also be seen as a step toward greater inclusivity in space exploration and could inspire many young girls and women to dream big.
Meanwhile, back on Earth, preparations are in full swing for another headline event: the wedding of Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos, which will soon take place in Venice, in a setting as romantic as it is spectacular. Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez have chosen the lagoon city for their nuptials, scheduled between June 24 and 26, 2025. The ceremony will be held aboard Bezos’ mega-yacht Koru, anchored in the Venetian lagoon.
The couple, together since 2018, has already sent out invitations and is finalizing preparations for the event, which will host numerous celebrity guests.
