Katy Perry In For Journey Of Lifetime; Gayle King's Next Big Story; Blue Origin Announces NS-31 Crew

Blue Origin has officially announced the six-person crew for its upcoming NS-31 mission, marking the 11th human flight of the New Shepard program. The mission is set to launch this spring and will feature an all-female crew, a historic milestone in human spaceflight not seen since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963.

Meet the NS-31 Crew

Aisha Bowe

Aisha Bowe is a former NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and a leading advocate for STEM education. As the CEO of STEMBoard, an Inc. 5000-listed engineering firm, and the founder of LINGO, an edtech company, Bowe is committed to inspiring young minds in science and technology. Of Bahamian heritage, she hopes her journey from community college to space will encourage young people in the Bahamas and beyond to pursue their dreams.

Amanda Nguyen

A bioastronautics research scientist and Harvard graduate, Amanda Nguyen has contributed to major space missions, including NASA’s STS-135 and the Kepler exoplanet mission. Beyond science, she is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee recognized for her advocacy for sexual violence survivors. As the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman to fly to space, Nguyen sees her journey as a symbol of reconciliation and a testament to science’s power in fostering peace.

Gayle King

Award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, Gayle King has made a name for herself as an insightful and empathetic interviewer. Also serving as editor-at-large for Oprah Daily and host of Gayle King in the House on SiriusXM, King is stepping into new territory with her journey aboard New Shepard. A lifelong storyteller, she sees this experience as an opportunity to share a unique perspective with audiences worldwide.

Katy Perry

Global music icon Katy Perry joins the NS-31 mission, adding another historic moment to her illustrious career. As Capitol Records’ best-selling female artist and an advocate for children's rights as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, Perry has long used her platform to empower others. She hopes her participation will inspire young girls, including her daughter, to reach for the stars in both a literal and figurative sense.

Kerianne Flynn

With a background in fashion, human resources, and nonprofit leadership, Kerianne Flynn is passionate about storytelling and social impact. She has served on multiple boards and has produced documentaries highlighting gender equality, including This Changes Everything (2018) and LILLY (2024). A lifelong explorer, Flynn views this mission as an opportunity to encourage future generations, including her son, to pursue their dreams fearlessly.

Lauren Sánchez

An Emmy Award-winning journalist, bestselling author, and aviation entrepreneur, Lauren Sánchez is no stranger to breaking barriers. As a licensed helicopter pilot and founder of Black Ops Aviation, she has played a pioneering role in aerial cinematography. In 2024, she published The Fly Who Flew to Space, a children's book aimed at inspiring young dreamers. Serving as the driving force behind the NS-31 mission, Sánchez is eager to lead a team of trailblazers on a transformative journey beyond Earth's atmosphere.