Launch of an All-Female Crew into Space
Jeff Bezos is preparing to send his fiancée Lauren Sánchez and a group of female guests on a space journey this Monday. This initiative could potentially send mixed messages under different circumstances.
Crew Details
The crew comprises six women: Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist marking her place as the first Vietnamese woman in space; CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King; pop star Katy Perry; film producer Kerianne Flynn; entrepreneur and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe; and journalist and philanthropist Sánchez. They will embark on an 11-minute suborbital flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, launched from a site north of Van Horn, Texas, reaching the edge of space and returning.
Historical Context
While this is being promoted as the first all-female crew to approach the Kármán line, which defines the beginning of outer space at 62 miles in altitude, it is not entirely accurate. Valentina Tereshkova, a cosmonaut, completed a solo mission to space in 1963 prior to this milestone.
Glamorous Preparations
Unlike Tereshkova, who lacked many modern conveniences, this new crew is embracing a glamorous aesthetic. At a recent photoshoot for Elle magazine, they enthusiastically declared, “We’re a crew,” all donning stylish black outfits. This mission will be noteworthy as it marks the first instance of individuals travelling to space in full hair and makeup.
Mixed Emotions About the Journey
Such trips evoke speculation about their purpose—are they merely pleasure excursions? King expressed her mix of fear and excitement, comparing the feeling to the anticipation of childbirth, acknowledging that pushing boundaries often comes with discomfort.
Competition in the Space Industry
For Bezos, this all-female flight could represent more than just a joyful experience. He is competing with Elon Musk in the commercial space launch arena. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets have conducted 469 launches, while Blue Origin’s New Shepard has managed only 31 successful launches, including 11 with crew.
The Battle for Space Dominance
Despite Blue Origin’s recent launch of the larger New Glenn rocket, the company trails behind SpaceX, which has successfully implemented reusable rocket boosters, significantly cutting costs and enhancing efficiency. With both companies involved in legal disputes over government contracts and public jabs exchanged on social media by their respective founders, concerns are growing over monopolistic trends in the space sector. As one industry lobbyist noted, this launch may have implications that extend beyond just six women and their glamorous preparations.
