Women Venture Into Space Tourism

When we were growing up, space missions were launched by the wealthy governments of countries like Russia and the USA to advance science and technology and improve various aspects of human civilisation. India’s missions were of special interest as they felt closer to home. However, the recent launch of an all-women team of six celebrities — who have excelled in diverse professions — on April 14, 2025, has given an entirely new meaning to space travel. Today, space trips are no longer limited to advancing science and technology — they can simply be for tourism.

In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova of the former Soviet Union became the first woman to set foot in space. As the sole astronaut on her mission, it was also the first women-only space flight. On April 14, 2025, six female celebrities embarked on another women-only trip —a short, almost 11-minute journey aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket and capsule. Valentina orbited Earth in the Vostok 6 space capsule and spent almost three days in space during her solo mission. After Tereshkova, six women have now made history again — this time as space tourists.

Different mission 

Though the purposes of these missions were vastly different, both were historic. Valentina’s trip was driven by scientific research and funded by the state. But it also shattered a glass ceiling and inspired women around the world to believe they could break barriers and achieve what they are capable of. Yesterday (April 14), a very different kind of space trip was launched — organised by billionaire Jeff Bezos — not for scientific innovation, but purely for recreation. And yet, it too made history, encouraging women to pursue their dreams, no matter how wild, and to step beyond societal boundaries simply for joy and adventure.

In 1963, space tourism wasn’t even imaginable. Today, with billionaires turning space tourism into a business, the six-women-only flight may have been part of a promotional campaign—but it still gave women another opportunity to smash intangible barriers and expand what’s possible. Those six females were American pop superstar Katy Perry; CBS Morning TV host Gayle King; Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Jeff Bezos; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist; Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics researcher; and Keri Anne Flynn, a film producer. The spacecraft was launched from the West Texas desert, with celebrities like Oprah Winfrey present to witness the event.

The take-off occurred at 9:30 AM ET from Blue Origin’s launch site in Van Horn, Texas. According to NBC News, the six-member crew flew just above the Kármán line — an invisible boundary at 62 miles altitude widely recognised as the edge of space. While there, Aisha Bowe held up a patch representing the Bahamas, and all six women experienced weightlessness, tumbling and doing handstands. Katy Perry sang What a Wonderful World, the iconic song by Louis Armstrong that celebrates the beauty of the universe. Originally recorded in August 1967, the song became a UK hit in 1968. Before the trip, Perry had said she wanted to sing in space — and she made that dream come true. 

From the media clips now circulating, it’s evident that the women truly enjoyed themselves. The memories of that brief journey will likely last a lifetime. After all, isn’t that what vacations are for? Recreation is a fundamental part of life. While millions around the world, including in Nepal, struggle daily to secure food and basic needs, many affluent individuals and families spend lavishly on vacations each year. Even in Nepal, overseas family holidays to Asia, Europe, and other destinations are becoming more common — especially during festivals like Dashain, Tihar, and the Nepali New Year, with travel agencies offering enticing packages. Now, billionaires are venturing into space tourism.

The journey of six celebrities has undoubtedly drawn global attention and helped popularise the idea of space tourism. Their joy, as shown in videos and interviews, supports the goals of billionaires like Jeff Bezos who are promoting this new frontier. Those with great wealth may now consider spending on space vacations — no matter how brief. According to the Hindustan Times, the space tourism industry was valued at USD 848.28 million in 2023. It rose to USD 1.3 billion in 2024. A report by Research and Markets has projected it to reach USD 6.7 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 31.6 per cent from 2024 to 2030.

Space flights 

 There are two main types of space tourism, suborbital and orbital. Suborbital flights cross just beyond the Kármán line, allowing passengers a few minutes in space before returning. Orbital flights travel much farther and may last several days or more, reaching altitudes of nearly 1.3 million feet. Currently, there are three major private players in this field: Virgin Galactic, founded by Sir Richard Branson; Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos; and SpaceX, by Elon Musk. 

The space flight with Blue Origin requires that the passenger must be at least 18 years old and there needs to be a deposit of US $150,000 according to the Marketplace. The all-women flight may have left some people wondering if such extravagant spending is justified, especially in a world where many go hungry. But regardless of that debate, it’s certain that the six women who ventured to space will cherish the experience forever.

(Sharma is a senior journalist and women’s rights advocate. namrata1964@yahoo.com or on X @NamrataSharmaP.)