The article was originally shared in English on my LinkedIn profile on April 15, 2025.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket launched with the all-female crew, symbolizing both female empowerment and raising questions about space tourism’s environmental impact.
A Milestone for Women in Space
Yesterday, April 14, 2025, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket successfully completed its NS-31 mission, carrying the first all-women crew since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963. The 11-minute journey to the edge of space marked a significant milestone for gender representation in an industry historically dominated by men.
The six accomplished women aboard included pop star Katy Perry, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez (who organized the mission), civil rights activist Amanda Nguyễn, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, former NASA scientist and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Their brief journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere symbolized more than just a tourist excursion—it represented a powerful statement about women’s place in the future of space exploration.
This flight made history in multiple ways: Amanda Nguyễn became the first Vietnamese woman in space, while Aisha Bowe became the first person of Bahamian descent to reach the stars. As Katy Perry eloquently stated before the flight:
«I am motivated more than ever to be an example for my daughter that women should take up space (pun intended).»
The Gender Gap in Space: Progress Amid Persistent Challenges
The significance of this all-women crew becomes even more apparent when examining the stark gender disparities in the space industry. According to the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, women represent just 30% of the global public space workforce, only 24% of managers, a mere 21% of executive leaders, and just 19% of board members. These figures have barely changed over the past three decades, reflecting the persistent gender inequality in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields worldwide.
This mission comes at a particularly critical time, as NASA recently retracted its commitment to land the first woman and person of color on the moon following directives to eliminate DEI practices at federal agencies. In this context, the NS-31 mission stands as an important counterpoint, demonstrating the value of inclusive representation in space exploration.
The Sustainability Question: Is Space Tourism Compatible with Environmental Responsibility?
While celebrating this important milestone for women, we must also critically examine the environmental implications of space tourism. Blue Origin’s New Shepard system does offer some promising sustainability features. Nearly 99% of the system’s dry mass is reused, including the booster, capsule, ring fin, landing gear, engine, and parachutes. Its BE-3PM engine is fueled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen, producing water vapor rather than carbon emissions during flight.
However, we must look beyond the marketing claims to understand the full environmental impact. While Blue Origin states that «the only byproduct of New Shepard’s engine combustion is water vapor with no carbon emissions,» experts like Professor Eloise Marais of University College London point out that water vapor itself is a greenhouse gas that doesn’t naturally belong in the upper atmosphere. It alters stratospheric chemistry, potentially depleting the ozone layer and forming clouds that affect climate.
Furthermore, research suggests that soot released by rockets in the upper atmosphere has a warming effect 500 times greater than if released by aircraft at lower altitudes. As space tourism grows, the cumulative impact of these flights raises serious environmental concerns.
Accessibility and Privilege in the Space Tourism Era
Another critical dimension is accessibility. While Blue Origin doesn’t publicly disclose ticket prices, the company requires a deposit of $150,000 just to begin the ticket ordering process. This reality raises important questions about who can participate in this new frontier of exploration. Is space tourism becoming an exclusive playground for the wealthy and famous, potentially exacerbating environmental issues at the expense of those who cannot afford such experiences?
The NS-31 mission embodies the complex reality of modern space exploration. We can and should celebrate this historic crew of women breaking barriers while simultaneously questioning the broader implications of space tourism.
As Gayle King reflected after returning to Earth:
«You look down at the planet and you think, that’s where we came from? To me it’s such a reminder about how we need to do better, be better.»
This perspective captures the dual nature of space travel—it can inspire us to protect our planet while also potentially contributing to its environmental challenges.
Moving Forward: Recommendations for Sustainable Space Exploration
Despite initiatives like the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on the Future of Space, the rapid commercialization of space has outpaced the development of comprehensive sustainability frameworks, creating a dangerous regulatory vacuum.
So, if we are to pursue space exploration in a manner that benefits all of humanity, several key recommendations deserve consideration:
1. Create a Shared Environmental Database – Centralize data on space-related environmental impacts to inform evidence-based decisions.
2. Engage All Stakeholders – Ensure diverse representation in shaping space governance, including women and underrepresented groups.
3. Define Harmful Contamination – Build global consensus on what constitutes biological, physical, or chemical contamination.
4. Link Science with Policy – Use up-to-date research to inform adaptive, science-based regulations for space activities.
5. Promote Transparency – Space companies should openly share environmental impact data and mission details. And here I must mention Finboot. Finboot’s MARCO Track & Trace platform provides a blockchain-powered system originally designed for supply chain management but with tremendous applications for space operations. This decentralized system gives all participants equal access to critical space activity data, ultimately enhancing accountability for orbital debris management.
6. Coordinate Regulations Globally – Develop flexible, cooperative governance frameworks across jurisdictions.
7. Raise Public Awareness – Launch campaigns to educate the public on both the benefits and environmental implications of space activities.
Conclusion: Navigating the Complexities of Progress
The NS-31 mission represents both remarkable progress and ongoing challenges. It demonstrates that women belong in space while raising important questions about environmental sustainability and accessibility.
True progress requires us to hold these seemingly contradictory perspectives simultaneously—to celebrate milestone achievements while pushing for greater inclusivity and environmental responsibility. As we look to the stars, we must ensure that space exploration benefits all of humanity and preserves the planet we call home.
In the words of Sandy Carter, a technology executive who commented on the flight:
«In a world increasingly reliant on autonomous agents and decentralized networks, this moment underscored a powerful truth. Autonomy may be the future, but equity still lags behind.»
Let this historic mission serve as both a celebration of how far we’ve come and a reminder of how far we still need to go.
SOURCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS:
https://sustainabilitymag.com/articles/diversity-circularity-blue-origins-all-women-crew
https://illuminem.com/illuminemvoices/how-sustainable-is-blue-origins-new-shepard-space-flight
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