Space tourism got a huge lift on Monday with the successful launch of Blue Origin's all-female NS-31 mission that included celebrities like singer Katy Perry and TV personality Gayle King.
The first all-woman space flight in more than six decades saw the group successfully pass the Kármán line, an invisible boundary some 62 miles above Earth where air space becomes outer space.
The mission has been polarizing with many criticizing the celebrity inclusions and likening the launch to a stunt or joyride. However, many are praising Monday's historic launch as an achievement that can only enhance the appeal of space tourism and redefine what type of travel experiences are possible in 2025 and beyond.
"These are things that get people’s attention, and then they hear Katy Perry or Gayle King talking about their experiences, and maybe they’ll get to learn a little bit more about the space program and about achieving goals," Michael Massimino, professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University and a former NASA astronaut, told CNN.
"I think that is what the value is here. The future, I think, is really unlimited, now that it’s not just governments going to space but also commercial companies. I think the possibilities are really exciting."
During a post-flight news conference, King said that "most people are really excited and cheering us on and realize what this mission means to young women, young girls and boys, too."
The New Shepard booster nears touchdown. (Photo Credit: Blue Origin Media)
Monday's launch of Blue Origin's New Shepherd capsule over West Texas marked the company's 11th successful human space flight and that number is poised to rise.
While the cost of space travel—seats start in the six figures—will remain an obstacle moving forward, the emergence of companies like Blue Origin, SpaceX and Virgin Galactic suggests that there's much to come.
After all, it's been less than 70 years since humans launched the first satellite and only six decades since the Apollo 11 mission put man on the moon.
Compared to travel by ship, train, plane and automobile, space tourism is still relatively new and therefore each milestone deserves to be acknowledged rather than dismissed.
Travel is constantly changing as new trends and experiences emerge and Monday's successful Blue Origin flight is a welcome sight for the industry as it brings important attention to a worthwhile endeavor.
Exploration is a vital component of travel and should be celebrated. This latest success for space tourism redefines what's possible when it comes to travel in the 21st century.
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