Private spaceflight is experiencing a significant cultural shift with the forthcoming launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, carrying a diverse group of individuals, including a former pop star and Jeff Bezos’ partner, to the edge of space.
Blue Origin has scheduled its next private mission, which will send six private astronauts aboard the New Shepard rocket. The mission, known as NS-31 and the company’s 11th crewed launch, is set for liftoff on Monday, April 14, from Launch Site One in West Texas, as announced by the company on Thursday.
The mission will feature an all-female crew, including singer Katy Perry, TV personality Gayle King, and Bezos’ fiancée, Lauren Sánchez. Accompanying them will be former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. While some participants possess relevant backgrounds, others are notable figures embarking on a costly journey to suborbital heights, where they will experience approximately two minutes of weightlessness during the brief 11-minute trip.
Blue Origin resumed its private spaceflight operations last year after a two-year break due to a launch malfunction of the New Shepard rocket. In September 2022, an uncrewed flight of New Shepard ended prematurely due to a booster anomaly shortly after liftoff. Despite the increasing frequency of such flights, inherent risks remain.
Gayle King expressed both nervousness and excitement about the mission during her daily show, “CBS Mornings,” following the announcement. She encouraged public support rather than discouragement regarding her participation.
In previous missions, Blue Origin has included scientific payloads to conduct research in the microgravity environment. However, the focus of this mission appears to be on showcasing an all-female crew under Sánchez’s leadership, with the aim of reshaping perceptions of Earth, encouraging participants to share their stories, and creating an enduring impact meant to inspire future generations, as outlined by Blue Origin.
This mission seems to emphasize experiences that could arguably be achieved without venturing into space, especially considering the substantial costs associated with a seat on New Shepard. The first seat auctioned for a flight on Blue Origin’s rocket in 2021 garnered $28 million. While the current price for a seat on the company’s space tourism flights remains undisclosed, reports suggest it approximates $1.25 million.
Beyond the high costs, the democratization of space travel is still in its infancy. While the intent is to make space accessible to everyone, such exclusivity starkly contrasts current realities. Consequently, private spaceflight is moving towards a trend that may distance many from the intrinsic fascination with space exploration.
