Blue Origin Launches Historic All-Female Spaceflight

Blue Origin launched its first all-female spaceflight, featuring Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, and others, on an 11-minute sub-orbital journey, marking the first such flight since 1963. The mission was celebrated for its historic significance for women in space but also faced criticism over its brevity and the celebrity status of its passengers. Gayle King defended the flight, stating it highlights Blue Origin's broader scientific aims. Katy Perry expressed pride in participating despite online mockery. NASA astronaut Don Pettit returned from a seven-month ISS mission around the same time, underscoring the contrast between professional and commercial space travel. The event continues to fuel debate about the meaning of 'astronaut' and the accessibility of space tourism.