Overview

• Blue Origin's NS-31 mission, launched on April 14, 2025, featured an all-female crew of six, including celebrities and STEM professionals, in a suborbital 11-minute flight.
• Criticism has centered on the flight's environmental impact, its perceived lack of substantive contribution, and its association with billionaire Jeff Bezos, whose company funded the mission.
• Gayle King and Aisha Bowe, members of the crew, have defended the mission, emphasizing its research on space-based waste disposal and its potential to inspire women and girls in STEM fields.
• Celebrity critics, including Emily Ratajkowski and Olivia Munn, have labeled the flight wasteful and out of touch, while supporters like Jessica Alba have argued that the backlash reflects misplaced priorities.
• The debate highlights broader tensions around space tourism, gender representation, and the role of private companies in advancing space exploration.