This week, Blue Origin launched an all-female crew into suborbital space—a first for the private spaceflight company owned by Jeff Bezos.
While the April 14th mission was billed as a milestone for women in space, it may have sparked more eye rolls than cheers.
Onboard were six women, led by Lauren Sánchez, including singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, activist Amanda Nguyen, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, and investor Kerianne Flynn.
The 11-minute flight briefly crossed the Kármán line—the internationally recognized edge of space—before returning safely to Earth.
A Historic Flight—But for Whom?
Supporters say the mission represents a powerful message: women from different backgrounds can reach new heights—literally and figuratively.
Gayle King called it “a symbol of possibility,” while Sánchez praised the hard work of the Blue Origin team.
But some observers, including those who strongly support women in science and space, are asking tougher questions about the intent and impact of the mission.
Celebrity Over Substance?
One of the biggest criticisms centers on the makeup of the crew – no, not the makeup on their faces, although there was plenty of focus on that in the photoshoot the ladies did pre-flight.
With a majority of the passengers being public figures and entertainers, some say the mission felt more like a publicity campaign than a serious scientific or exploratory effort.
Conservatives champion true equality and opportunity, but also value authenticity over theatrics.
Tourism or Trailblazing?
Another point of contention is whether the mission contributes to space exploration—or simply promotes space tourism for the elite.
Blue Origin’s brief suborbital trips require a hefty deposit (reportedly $150,000 per seat), which limits participation to a small, wealthy few.
Critics argue that space travel should be about advancing research, not selling seats. In contrast to past missions that focused on scientific experiments, this one was seen by some as more symbolic than substantive.
That’s not to say symbolism doesn’t matter—but it raises the question: Is the goal to open doors for more women in science and engineering, or to generate buzz and magazine covers?
The Message Matters
The way the mission was marketed also drew attention.
Fashion-forward flight suits, a glossy Elle magazine cover, and interviews focused on beauty routines and glam squads left some viewers wondering where the talk about space and science was.
That rubbed a few people the wrong way—not because appearance doesn’t matter, but because it can distract from the core message of capability, achievement, and breaking barriers.
If the mission aimed to highlight women’s strength and leadership in STEM, some felt that message got a bit lost in the packaging.
Bezos and Blue Origin: Bigger Picture?
Lastly, there’s the broader conversation about Jeff Bezos and the role of private space companies.
Some questioned whether the flight was an attempt to shift headlines or compete with rivals like Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Others saw it as a distraction from recent criticism over Amazon’s diversity and workplace policies.
Again, none of this takes away from the significance of six women making history.
But in an era when so many Americans are feeling the squeeze of inflation and income gaps, high-priced space flights featuring celebrities can come off as out of touch.
Final Thoughts
Credit where it’s due: this flight was a technical success and a noteworthy event.
But if we’re serious about empowering women in space—and across all fields—let’s make sure we’re focusing on real opportunities, not just photo ops.
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
