It’ll be taking an all-female crew to the edge of space! That mission will be notable since it will be the 11th flown New Shepard on a crewed flight. In addition, it is an honor to be part of the first all female spaceflight crew in history since 1963. The crew includes a radical roster of women of color, artists, activists, educators and cultural workers. Among their ranks are singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist and civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, filmmaker Kerianne Flynn, and journalist and helicopter pilot Lauren Sánchez.
That’s because the journey will take flight more than 65 miles above the surface of our planet. There, like other crew members, they will experience several minutes of thrilling, zero-gravity floatation. The whole trip takes approximately 11 minutes. Passengers will get to float at zero gravity in the breathtaking New Shepard capsule through this extraordinary adventure! Each crew member may take personal items on board… but these personal items must fit in a three-pound “personal item” bag. This ranges from ISTEA-era photographs to sentimental mementos.
The launch countdown clock stops at T-minus 2 minutes and 30 seconds. But if at any point the safety or comfort of any crew member becomes a concern, they have the authority to… They only need to say “time out” or “I won’t fly” to let them know they want to get off the hook. More complicated than the vehicle controlling itself once the crew is aboard, halting the entire program poses a dangerous threat.
Crew Preparations and Training
The crew prepares for their momentous journey. They’ll then go through days of rigorous training to learn the ins and outs of the New Shepard capsule and undergo a simulated zero-gravity experience. In addition, they will be outfitted with personal flight suits specifically designed for them to provide maximum comfort and safety while in flight.
Aisha Bowe expressed her awareness of the unique position they hold as women in space exploration, stating, “I think it’s so important for people to see us like that. This dichotomy of engineer and scientist, and then beauty and fashion. We contain multitudes. Women are multitudes.”
Journalist Gayle King acknowledged her personal battle with anxiety related to flying, saying, “I have some sessions planned before we go up just to help me with [my anxiety].”
Every single member is leaning into their expertise. They are making sure they look absolutely stunning for the big day. Bowe humorously noted, “I wanted to test out my hair and make sure that it was OK.”
The Significance of the Mission
This groundbreaking all-female spaceflight is a tremendous technological achievement. It is indeed a monumental milestone in gender representation in the aerospace industry. Women are dismantling stereotypes in male-dominated trades. This mission makes a statement about their technical prowess and capacity in exploring the final frontier.
This inaugural flight is deeply symbolic. It does so much more. It inspires future generations of girls and women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Blue Origin features prominent women of all different backgrounds on this trip as a crew together. Their goal is to motivate future female leaders to think bigger and achieve greatness through careers in disciplines where women have not always seen themselves.
Amanda Nguyen reiterated her own wish for more representation in her field and the potential of this mission on our future leaders. She noted the impact visibility makes in helping change perceptions of women’s place in the fields of science and technology.
Flight Details and Experience
As the countdown progresses towards liftoff, Blue Origin staff will guide the crew through what they can expect during the flight. Crew members will receive extensive trainings on the physical sensations experienced during ascent and descent. Finally, they’ll train for how to operate in the capsule once they’re in microgravity.
The New Shepard capsule is designed with safety and ease of use in mind. This design even allows passengers to fully enjoy their one-of-a-kind journey through space. To finally have the chance to float freely inside their new capsule for a few minutes will be an electric experience for these trailblazing astronauts.
Each crew member carries with them a personal object, such as a photograph of loved ones at home, or a favorite crew stuffed animal mascot. This exciting flight will make memorable adventures for the crew and their fans alike!
