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Blue Origin's All-Female Spaceflight Makes History and Revives Debate on Inclusive Language

Mae Jemison's correction of gendered terms during a CBS interview highlights the evolving discourse on representation in space exploration.

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Overview

  • Blue Origin's New Shepard program successfully completed its first all-female crewed flight, featuring six prominent women, including Katy Perry and Gayle King.
  • The mission, lasting 11 minutes, reached the Karman line, offering the crew four minutes of weightlessness before safely returning to Earth.
  • Former astronaut Mae Jemison emphasized the importance of inclusive language in space exploration, correcting a reporter's use of 'mankind' to 'humankind' during a CBS interview.
  • Jemison highlighted how space travel broadens perspectives on Earth and humanity, underscoring the mission's goal of inspiring diverse participation in exploration.
  • The flight builds on historical milestones in female space exploration, drawing attention to representation and the broader impact of such missions.