Critics Question $150,000 Price Tag of All-Female Space Mission

WEST TEXAS, April 14, 2025 — The Blue Origin spacecraft successfully completed its inaugural all-female mission on Monday, but the event has generated significant backlash regarding the ethics and implications of space tourism. During a press conference after the 11-minute voyage, crewmembers including Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez addressed critics questioning the mission’s price tag and purpose.

Despite the backlash, the six-woman team, which also featured rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn, described the mission’s impact. King responded to these critiques directly, saying, “Anyone who’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here.” She emphasized the positive feedback from young girls inspired by the expedition.

Following an earlier statement by actress Olivia Munn who labeled the flight as “gluttonous,” Sánchez expressed her frustration. “I get really fired up,” she said. “I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees who put their heart and soul into this vehicle.”

Bowe highlighted the importance of representation in aerospace, recounting her own journey after being discouraged from pursuing engineering. “When I decided that I was going to pursue aerospace engineering, it was after my high school guidance counselor told me to pursue cosmetology,” she said.

Amidst the scrutiny, various public figures have shared their views. Munn questioned the historical significance of the mission, asking what benefit it brings to humanity. However, supporters argue that it advances female representation in a field traditionally dominated by men. King noted, “I’m very disappointed and saddened by the hate. What it’s doing to inspire other women and young girls—please don’t ignore that.”

The flight itself marked Blue Origin’s 11th mission and the 31st in its overall history. The first all-female flight crew since 1963 succeeded in pushing the boundaries of traditional space travel. As they touched down back on Earth, the crew was met with cheers from the recovery team, emphasizing the celebratory nature of the achievement.

In a somewhat emotional moment, Perry kissed the ground upon exiting the capsule, holding a daisy aloft in tribute to her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom. “It’s not about singing my songs,” Perry reflected in a post-flight interview. “It’s about making space for future women and taking up space and belonging.”

As the criticism unfolded online, some social media users described the mission as a frivolous publicity stunt, while others criticized the environmental impact of launching rockets. According to Eloise Marais, a professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at University College London, “Water vapor is still an ozone-depleting greenhouse gas that can contribute to global warming.”

While the public debate continues around the implications of space tourism, members of the crew remain focused on the mission’s broader message and its potential to inspire. Following the flight, the women reiterated their commitment to positive representation in the aerospace sector, despite the controversies surrounding their historic flight.