Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is now making history. She is leading an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. This mission, scheduled for April 14, 2025, marks the 11th human flight in the New Shepard program.
Who’s on the Mission
Alongside Sánchez, five other women are joining the flight. They include pop star Katy Perry, CBS journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Together, they will spend about 11 minutes in space before safely returning to Earth.
Sánchez Expresses Gratitude Before Launch
Earlier, Sánchez took to Instagram to share her excitement. She wrote, “Hard to believe that tomorrow this incredible work of innovation will be taking us above the Kármán line. Took a moment together as a crew to visit our rocket and express our gratitude. Thank you to the entire @blueorigin team for making this happen.”
Flight Details and Purpose
The rocket lifted off at 9:30 a.m. EDT. It took the crew past the Kármán line, which lies 100 kilometers above Earth and defines the boundary of space. Notably, this NS-31 mission supports Blue Origin’s broader goal—to make space travel more inclusive and accessible.
Blue Origin’s Space Legacy
Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin has already flown 52 people into space. These include Bezos himself and actor William Shatner. Clearly, this new mission further strengthens the company’s standing in the growing space tourism industry.
A Wedding on the Horizon
Meanwhile, this spaceflight comes just months before Sánchez and Bezos’s wedding. The couple plans to marry in Venice, Italy, from June 26 to 29. Invitations have already been sent out. Moreover, the guest list features high-profile names such as Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Ivanka Trump. Bezos proposed to Sánchez in 2023, more than two years after his divorce from MacKenzie Scott.