On Monday, the aerospace company Blue Origin launched its spacecraft RSS Kármán Line on a ten minute trip into space. The spaceship carried the first all-female crew to go into space since Russian astronaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963.
The spacecraft took off from Texas on Monday morning for a flight that would last just 10 minutes and 21 seconds. That may not sound much like a trip into space, but the spacecraft reached a height of 66 miles (106 kilometers) above sea level. That is well above the Kármán line, which is generally considered the edge of space. The Kármán line is 62 miles (100 kilometers) above sea level.
Blue Origin is an aerospace company created by Jeff Bezos, who also created the online shopping giant Amazon. Blue Origin builds reusable rockets and other spacecraft.
(Source: Screenshot, Blue Origin, via YouTube.)
The New Shephard system used in Monday’s flight is designed for “space tourism”. Space tourism is a new business area being built around the idea that rich tourists will pay large amounts of money for short rides into space.
Monday’s flight carried six women into space. It’s the first time since 1963 that an all-female crew has gone into space. Each of the passengers is well-known in her field. The passengers included:
- Pop singer Katy Perry
- Gayle King, a reporter who’s a host on the TV show CBS Mornings
- Film maker Kerianne Flynn
- Amanda Nguyen, a space scientist who hopes to become an astronaut
- Aisha Bowe, an aerospace engineer who used to work for NASA
- Lauren Sánchez, a reporter, children’s book author, and pilot.
(Source: Blue Origin.)
Though the six women were officially the “crew” of the mission, the spacecraft flew completely automatically. None of the women had any duties on the flight. Each had her own seat and window.
After the rocket lifted the capsule into space, the women had a few minutes of weightlessness. As the spacecraft returned to Earth, the rocket separated from the capsule. Three parachutes opened up as the capsule neared Earth. This slowed the capsule down, allowing it to land gently in the desert in West Texas.
The women were extremely excited about their experiences. Ms. Perry said, “It is the highest high.” She says she plans to write a song about it. Ms. King said, “It’s such a reminder about how we need to do better, be better.” Some of the passengers kissed the ground as they left the capsule.
(Source: Screenshot, Blue Origin, via YouTube.)
Though the trip is historic in some ways, many people have criticized it. Some people felt it was a waste of money. Others say it was just a big advertisement for Blue Origin. Some people pointed out that over 100 women have already gone to space – not just for a joyride, but to do actual work.
But many people have also defended the trip, saying it sends an important message. Ms. Bowe says it’s important for young people to get a sense of what’s possible. She said in high school she was encouraged to get a job doing makeup. Instead, she earned two degrees in aerospace engineering. She says the mission “is bigger than the criticism.”
Did You Know…?
Ms. Sanchez and Mr. Bezos are engaged to be married.