Blue Origin, “glam” trips and tourist in space: where are we?

TODAY IS THE DAY: today April 14, Blue Originthe company founded by Jeff Bezoswill kick off a Space mission that will also write a new page in history the exploration of our universe. The NS-31 mission, a suborbital flight of 11 minuteswill be the first to see a entirely feminine crew (It was 1963 the year of the first spatial mission of a woman, Valentina Testhkova).

On board the New Shepard capsule, which will take off from the launch site in Texas By Blue Origin, there will be six women from different sectors. But in addition to the objective of redefining the role of women in astronautics and opening the doors to travel in space as a possible activity – Lauren Sánchezjournalist, pilot and above all future wife of Jeff Bezos commented: «We want to prove that there are no boundaries for what women can make», There were also many criticisms. “It has the flavor of the deordigia,” commented the actress The actress Olivia Munn “A slap in the face of those who struggle to afford eggs”adding «Spatial exploration should serve to improve life here on Earth. What will they do up there that will improve our condition here? ». Even the glamorous side of the mission – between fashion suits and the words of Katy Perry who exults saying “the space will finally become glamorous” – has not helped to see the mission (only) as a “progress of humanity”. Without speaking of the impact on world pollution that they could have space trips if they became more numerous, and a “pastime” of the weekend for the rich in the world.

The team of the new Blue Origin mission

The command of the mission will be entrusted to Lauren Sánchez, journalist, pilot and above all future wife of Jeff BezosMr. Amazon. With her, on board the spaceship, there will be the pop star Katy Perry, the CBS journalist Gayle Kingthe aerospace engineer Aisha Bowethe civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen and the film producer Kerianne Flynn.

All together, they will cross the Kámán line, 100 kilometers of altitudeliving 11 minutes in the absence of gravity, an experience that not only offers a new perspective on Earth, but which, in the intent of the mission, represents an important step in the visibility and female inclusion in the space sector.

Space tourism: where are we?

Founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is a private space exploration company With a very precise vision: allow millions of people to live and work in space. With the mission of reducing costs and making Space travels accessible to an increasing number of peopleBlue Origin has developed a series of cutting -edge technologies, including the New Shepard suborbital rocket, which will be used in today’s all -female mission.

But how much does it cost to travel in space? A ticket to a suborbital flight with Blue Origin would be between the 200,000 and 300,000 dollars per personeven if for now the flights are aimed at rich entrepreneurs and celebrities and there are no official prices or the possibility of booking them.

The “market” of space tourism, however, is organizing with the three companies that preside the market, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic And Spacex. There are two trips offered: with that suborbital, Which lasts a few minutes in the case of Blue Origin and 40 with Virging Galactic you reach the space without however entering the orbit around the earth. However, the experience allows you to see the curvature of the earth and try the absence of weight.

The orbital flightlike the one offered by Spacex, is another story and has another price (it can cost $ 55 million per person): it brings tourists to orbit around the earth and ISS. The first “commercial” trip on Spacex’s crew Dragon that led to the station is from 2022 four “private” astronauts at a cost of $ 55 million each. The first non -astronaut to set foot on the international space station, was the US billionaire Dennis Tito In 2001 that at 60 years of age, without a complete training, it climbed for 20 million sollars aboard one Soyuz TM-32 And he said: «I was euphoric, it was the most incredible moment of life. The pens started to float in the air, I could see the darkness of the space and the curvature of the earth ».

Today’s flight by Lady Bezos and Katy Perry

The NS-31 mission has strong symbolic value, not only technological but also cultural. Lauren Sánchez He said he wanted to use this experience to tell stories that can push the new generations to look beyond the limits of the earth. “We want to prove that there are no boundaries for what women can make»Explained the pilot, while Katy Perry, who has always had a strong interest in astronomy, added:« I hope my journey inspire my daughter and other girls to believe that can reach the stars, literally and figuratively».

The Spatial suits Wared by the protagonists of the mission, designed by Lauren Sánchez and his team, they are very different from “traditional” ones, combining functionality, technique and style. Inspired by iconic Bodycon Dress of the Met Gala, these suits modernize the traditional spatial look, making it more elegant without sacrificing safety. The goal of Sanchez was to make these suits a visual symbol of a historical change in the field of space exploration.

Although short, the NS-31 mission is, in fact, full of meanings. In addition to celebrating diversity in the space sector, the flight will collect biomedical data For the first time by women of color and tester the shuttle skills, with the intention of promoting Stem careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) among young girls and marginalized communities.