When Women Went to Space – And the Internet Exploded

On April 14, 2025, a new page in space history was written—not by NASA, but by six women from vastly different industries who hitched a ride to the edge of space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. Dubbed as a celebration of female empowerment and modern exploration, the trip was anything but universally praised.

Let’s break it down: The all-female crew included pop superstar Katy Perry, broadcast legend Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot Lauren Sánchez—also known as Jeff Bezos’ partner. It was the first time a full crew of women entered suborbital space aboard a commercial flight, and yes, it made headlines. But alongside the applause came serious questions about the cost, the purpose, and the message it sends to a world still battling inequality and climate crises.

How Much Did It Cost?

While Blue Origin hasn’t released exact numbers for this particular flight, previous seats on New Shepard have ranged between $250,000 and $1 million per person. So, if we do some quick math, the collective cost of sending these six women to the edge of space likely ran up to $6 million—or more.

But who footed the bill? That part’s murky. Some of the crew may have been sponsored, while others, like Lauren Sánchez and Katy Perry, could likely afford the ticket out of pocket. Still, when millions are spent on a 10-minute joyride that offers weightlessness, Earth views, and instant headlines, people are bound to talk.

Inspiration or Extravagance?

Supporters argue this flight was historic, inspiring, and exactly what young girls around the world need to see. Representation matters, and seeing six accomplished women—especially women of color like Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyen—suit up and fly above the planet was undeniably powerful. Gayle King herself said the moment was “bigger than space—it’s about possibility.”

But not everyone bought the “empowerment” narrative. Social media lit up with criticism, with some calling it a “millionaire flex disguised as feminism.” Celebrities like Olivia Munn and Emily Ratajkowski publicly questioned the impact of the flight, with Munn tweeting, “Women breaking boundaries is powerful. Billionaires playing astronaut for fun? Not so much.”

Critics raised valid points. What exactly did the mission accomplish, besides another notch in Blue Origin’s PR belt? Did it serve science, or just egos?

The Environmental Cost

Beyond the price tag and public optics, environmentalists jumped into the fray. Space launches are resource-heavy, and every suborbital flight like New Shepard’s emits tons of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the upper atmosphere.

In a time when climate change is no longer a future threat but a current reality, burning through that much fuel for what many see as a “selfie in space” moment feels irresponsible. For every inspirational Instagram post shared from the flight, there’s an environmental impact report saying, “Maybe not the best idea.”

The Bigger Picture: Who Gets to Go?

Another layer to this controversy is access. Space tourism is being positioned as the next luxury experience, but it’s only available to the ultra-wealthy or the ultra-connected. This latest trip, though historic in its makeup, reminded many that most people—especially women in underserved communities—are still fighting for basic resources, not zero-gravity snapshots.

And let’s be real: Is representation still empowering if it only comes in designer space suits? Lauren Sánchez may have piloted the helicopter that took her to training, but most women can’t even get a loan for a small business. The contrast is jarring.

Not All Bad

Still, to be fair, there were aspects of the mission that went beyond fluff. Amanda Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, used her platform to speak on global justice. Aisha Bowe, a real rocket scientist, talked about bridging the STEM gap for minority youth. There were also scientific payloads on board and ongoing partnerships with educational outreach programs that bring space science to classrooms.

So, while the optics may be bougie, there was at least an effort to turn the flight into something meaningful.

Final Thoughts

This mission was layered. It was empowering and elitist. Groundbreaking and tone-deaf. Inspirational and indulgent. That’s what makes it so fascinating—and so frustrating.

On one hand, we witnessed a cultural milestone: women, once completely excluded from space exploration, now boldly leading their own missions. On the other hand, it highlighted just how far we have to go when it comes to equity—not just in space, but right here on Earth.

Whether this flight will spark lasting change or be remembered as a well-marketed stunt remains to be seen. But one thing is clear: the conversation around who gets to go to space, why they go, and what they do with that opportunity is only just beginning.

And maybe that’s the real launch we should be paying attention to.