Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is set to lead an all-female crew on Blue Origin‘s New Shepard rocket, marking a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight. The mission, scheduled for today, i.e. April 14, 2025, will be the 11th human flight for Blue Origin’s New Shepard program. Joining Sánchez on this journey are pop star Katy Perry, CBS journalist Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The six-member crew will embark on an approximately 11-minute flight, reaching the edge of space before returning to Earth.
Ahead of the launch, Sanchez shared an Instagram post captioned “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.”
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket launch: Timing and flight Details
The New Shepard suborbital flight will lifted off at 9:30 am EDT, carrying the six-member crew on a journey that took them past the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space located 100 kilometers above Earth. The NS-31 mission comes as part of Blue Origin’s larger goal to democratize space travel and increase inclusivity within the field.
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has previously flown notable individuals, including Bezos himself and actor William Shatner, on its New Shepard missions. To date, the company has flown 52 people into space, with this upcoming mission set to further solidify its role in the burgeoning space tourism industry.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez Wedding invites out
The space launch comes months ahead of Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez wedding, invites for which have already been sent. The two are set to marry this summer in Venice, Italy with wedding festivities from June 26-29. Their star-studded guest list includes prominent figures like Oprah Winfrey, Kim Kardashian, and Ivanka Trump. Bezos proposed to Sánchez in 2023, over two years after ending his marriage with MacKenzie Scott.