Blue Origin’s All-Female Spaceflight Sparks Controversy Amid Economic and Ethical Concerns
Blue Origin’s upcoming NS-31 mission, scheduled for April 14, 2025, is being hailed as a historic milestone: the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963. But what was meant to be a celebration of women’s achievements in space has instead ignited a debate that reaches far beyond the launchpad, drawing in pop culture, politics, environmentalism, and questions of privilege.
Who’s Onboard?
The six-person crew features a high-profile lineup:
- Katy Perry – Pop icon and global entertainer
- Gayle King – Veteran journalist and television personality
- Lauren Sánchez – Philanthropist and fiancée of Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos
- Aisha Bowe – Former NASA rocket scientist and aerospace entrepreneur
- Amanda Nguyen – Civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee
- Kerianne Flynn – Film producer
The flight, using Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft, will last roughly 11 minutes, offering around four minutes of microgravity after crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space at 62 miles above Earth.
What’s the Mission’s Purpose?
Officially, the flight is designed to celebrate female pioneers in science, tech, and the arts, while providing symbolic inspiration for young women around the world. One crew member, Amanda Nguyen, will also conduct two microgravity science experiments, including one related to women’s health and another in partnership with the Vietnamese National Space Center.
The Criticism
Despite its stated goals, the NS-31 mission has come under fire, most prominently from actress Olivia Munn, who called it a “gluttonous” display during a segment on Today with Jenna & Friends.
“People are out here struggling to afford eggs, and we’re launching celebrities into space?” Munn said, highlighting the disconnect between the extravagance of space tourism and widespread economic hardship.
Munn also raised environmental concerns about rocket fuel emissions and criticized the need for public spectacle, suggesting that those who want to go to space should do so quietly, without seeking media attention or turning it into a photo op.
A Broader Ethical Debate
The backlash is part of a growing conversation about the ethics of commercial space travel, especially in its suborbital tourism form:
- Cost: Blue Origin hasn’t released ticket prices for this flight, but competitor Virgin Galactic charges $600,000 per seat.
- Value: Critics question whether a few minutes of microgravity justifies the cost and emissions when compared to Earth-based needs.
- Environmental Impact: Rocket launches consume large amounts of fuel and release emissions that many argue are at odds with climate goals.
- Optics: Sending celebrities into space during a time of economic pressure is increasingly viewed as tone-deaf, even when attached to noble causes.
Blue Origin’s Response
Blue Origin has emphasized that the NS-31 flight is about storytelling, inclusivity, and legacy, not just spectacle. The company argues that representation in space matters, especially for young women and marginalized communities who rarely see themselves reflected in astronaut programs.
They also highlight the research component of the mission, which gives the flight more than just symbolic weight.
This mission is shaping up to be more than just a historic flight, it’s a flashpoint in the conversation about what space should be for, and who gets to go. The NS-31 crew will make history. But whether that history is viewed as inspirational or indulgent depends on the lens you’re looking through.