/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130344212z-iw-new.png)
/industry-wired/media/agency_attachments/2024/12/04/2024-12-04t130332454z-iw-new.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/media_files/2025/04/15/7psvHlymJBadk3ge0rFi.jpg)
/industry-wired/media/media_files/2025/04/15/7psvHlymJBadk3ge0rFi.jpg)
Jeff Bezos Welcomes All-Women Crew After NS-31, Marking a New Chapter in Space and Cultural History
Blue Origin took another bold step in space travel on April 14, 2025, when its New Shepard NS-31 mission completed a short but powerful journey with an all-female crew.
For the first time, six women from different fields crossed the edge of space together, sending a clear message about the rising influence of women in aerospace, science, and global culture.
A Brief Yet Powerful Journey Beyond Earth
The suborbital flight lasted just over 11 minutes. It launched from West Texas and crossed the Kármán line, the boundary marking the start of space at 100 kilometers above Earth. The capsule separated from its booster, climbed into the blackness of space, and returned with a soft, parachute-assisted landing in the desert.
Star Power in Space: Katy Perry Leads the Wealth Chart
Among the six crew members, pop icon Katy Perry stood out not just for her presence but also her wealth. With an estimated net worth of $400 million, Perry became the richest woman aboard.
Her financial strength comes from record-breaking music sales, global tours, television appearances, brand endorsements, and a $225 million music catalog sale in 2023.
Meet the Other Trailblazing Women of NS-31
The crew also featured Lauren Sánchez, mission lead and media personality, valued at $30 million. Gayle King, an anchor with CBS, brought her $40 million fortune and overcame a personal fear of flying.
Kerianne Flynn, a film producer, added her love for space with a reported $7 million net worth. The net worths of Aisha Bowe, a former NASA scientist, and Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, remain private, though their influence reaches far beyond numbers.
A Global Celebration of Women in Space
The mission drew massive attention, streaming live around the world. It celebrated not just space tourism but also the role of women in technology, media, and social change. For four minutes, the crew floated weightlessly, looking down on Earth’s curve and stars above. They returned changed, both emotionally and symbolically.
Emotional Return and Powerful Moments on Earth
When the capsule landed, Jeff Bezos personally opened the hatch. Each woman exited the vessel and all of them were welcomed with cheers. Sánchez, tearful, spoke of seeing the Moon. Perry kissed the Earth. King knelt to feel the ground beneath her. Nguyen quietly honored those fighting for justice. Flynn’s shout, “I went to space!” summed up the joy of human achievement.
Redefining Access to the Final Frontier
Their flight wasn’t only about reaching space. It was about rewriting who gets to go there.
Weightlessness is just a moment in the vision of Blue Origin. The company is striving for a road to space for future generations with New Shepard and its future missions. By using reusable rockets and an increasing launch timeline, Blue Origin continues to rally for space travel that is accessible, sustainable, and frequent. Each mission, such as NS-31, reinforces the cause for making space a place for millions to live and work in, rather than just a place to visit.