Blue Origin is preparing for a landmark launch as its New Shepard spacecraft gets ready to carry the first all-female crew into space since 1963—when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel solo beyond Earth.

The upcoming mission features a high-profile group of six women from diverse professions. Among them are pop star Katy Perry, veteran journalist Gayle King, civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen, NASA aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot-journalist Lauren Sanchez, who is also engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.

The flight, while short in duration, will be a momentous one, offering the crew a few minutes in space beyond the Karman Line—the boundary at 100 kilometers above sea level that is internationally recognized as the edge of space.

Mission Timeline and Flight Details

Scheduled to lift off at 7:00 pm IST on April 14 from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas, the mission will begin with a powered ascent. For about 110 seconds, the New Shepard rocket will climb through the atmosphere, driven by its BE-3PM engine.

After reaching approximately 40 kilometers in altitude, the rocket and capsule will continue to ascend due to momentum, eventually crossing the Karman Line. Once in space, the crew capsule will detach from the booster, allowing the passengers to float freely and observe Earth from above.

Inside the capsule, which offers 15 cubic meters of space, the six women will be able to move around and take in sweeping views through six expansive windows designed for optimal sightseeing.

Descent and Recovery

After reaching peak altitude, the capsule will gradually descend back to Earth. A trio of parachutes will deploy to slow the descent, and just before landing, a set of retro-thrusters will fire to reduce the speed to around 3.2 kilometers per hour, ensuring a gentle touchdown.

Simultaneously, the rocket booster will autonomously guide itself back to the ground, using air brakes and engine reignition to land upright near the original launch site.

This will be the 11th human mission for Blue Origin and a milestone moment for gender representation in spaceflight. With participants from fields ranging from music and media to science and advocacy, the mission underscores how space travel can engage and inspire a broad spectrum of people around the world.