On June 20, 2025, Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission made history by launching the first all-female crew into space aboard the New Shepard rocket. The flight lasted just over 10 minutes but offered passengers a brief weightless experience and a once-in-a-lifetime view of the Earth before returning to the ground. The six-member crew featured famous faces like pop starKaty Perry,journalistGayle King, and pilotLauren Sanchez, who also happens to beJeff Bezos’fiancée. The mission was spearheaded to spotlight female empowerment and increase representation in space exploration.
While the launch generated plenty of media attention, not all of it was positive. From criticism about the mission’s performative tone to concerns about its environmental impact, there have been question over whether it should’ve happened at all – or if it simply represents the latest trend of elite space tourism. While some celebrities were eager to take part, even knowing the potential backlash, the Kardashian-Jenners are probably breathing a sigh of relief that they weren’t involved. According to reports,Kim KardashianandKris Jennerwere invited to join the flight but ultimately turned it down. In hindsight, it may have been one of their smartest decisions.
Why Kim and Kris Skipped the Space Mission
According toThe Sun, both Kris and Kim were given official invitations to take part in the historic all-female flight –- and both declined. Buttheir reasons appear to differ. Kris reportedly had concerns about the safety of the mission. “Kris absolutely did not want to go forsafety concernsand not wanting to put herself in a risky positionbeing a mom and a grandma,” the insider revealed.
Kim, on the other hand, claimed she didn’t have time for it. “Kim was more open to it but had scheduling conflicts. Maybe in the future, especially seeing how much of a success this flight was,” the source explained.
As for Katy’s decision to join the mission, the source said her motivations were more personal.Katy was adamant she had to do it because of her daughter. She wanted to set an example of what a strong, fearless, multifaceted woman with no limits can look like,” they explained. And blasting off into space is quite literally the definition of no limits. She was so excited and really trusted the process. She didn’t seem fearful at all.”
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AlthoughKris didn’t board the rocket, shemade it clear she supported the mission. As a long-time friend of Jeff and Lauren, it’s not surprising Kris was spotted close to the Texas launch site, cheering the crew on.
“This is a really unique experience and we’re just so honored to be here to support them and watch this amazing part of history, and I’m so proud of [Lauren],” she told press on site.
However,Kim was noticeably absent from the launch. This could’ve been due to a genuine scheduling conflict. But it could also signalthat she wasn’t fully on board with the mission’s goalsanddidn’t want to publicly align herselfwith it from the start.
Anyone who’s familiar with Kim’s travel habits knows she’s no stranger to traveling the globe on tight timelines. There was a timeshe flew across the world to Indiajust to attend a weddingfor 48 hours. It’s clearshe can make the time when she wants to. And a space launch featuring involving family friends seems like a big deal. It was important enough for Kris to show up, soKim’s absence seemed telling.
It’s possible her “scheduling conflict” could have been a morediplomatic excuse. And, if so, it’s a good one. It’shelped her avoid the backlashattached to the mission post-launch, while not having to outright reject Blue Origin’s female empowerment narrative.
Criticism Grows After Blue Origin’s All-Female Space Flight
Since the space mission,criticism has been mounting, especially towards the celebrities whodidparticipate.Gayle King expressed regretover the way the mission has been received. The TV host said she’s “very disappointed” and “very saddened” by the backlash, adding thatshe didn’t pay for her seatand saw it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “Space is not an either or, it’s a both, and because you do something in space doesn’t mean you’re taking anything away from Earth. And what you’re doing in space is trying to make things better here on Earth,” she said onCBS Mornings.
“What Blue Origin wants to do is take the waste here and figure out a way to put it in space to make our planet cleaner.Jeff Bezos has so many ideas, and the people that are working there are really devoted and dedicated to making our planet a better place. That’s number one,” Gayle went on in defense of the flight.
She also emphasized that the criticism is taking away from how history-making the flight was, considering it was the first of its kind to take an exclusively all-female crew to space. “There was nothing frivolous about what we do,” she continued. “So, you know, I’m very disappointed and very saddened by it [the criticism]. And I also say this — what it’s doing to inspire other women and young girls? Please don’t ignore that.” But her statement hasn’t stopped critics from calling her – and the other crew members –elitist and out of touch for choosing to participate.
Critics Blast Blue Origin for Space Tourism’s Carbon Footprint
Katy Perry, in particular, has been facing a significant brunt of the backlash. She’s beenlabeled “tone-deaf,” “out of touch,”and “desperate for relevancy.”It’s not only her participation in the mission, but how she acted that’s rubbing folks the wrong way. She was blasted for bringing a daisy into space – the same flower her daughter is named after – and then posting to socials with the caption, “A flower in the sky for my little girl.” What was supposed to be a sweet gesture wasread by many as performative and frivolous,especially given the environmental cost of the expedition.
This certainly isn’t helping revive Katy’s career, like she may have hoped it would. Her latest album,143, was released in September 2024, but is widely considered a commercial flop. The lyrics were mocked for having no substance and attempting to capitalize on feminist tropes, while her decision to work with Dr. Luke only fueled backlash. The all-female space launch feels like another misstep in a string of PR disasters for the once-pop queen.
But it’s not just the clout-chasing that’s rubbed Blue Origin critics the wrong way. Perhaps the biggest concern is the environmental impact. A single space mission emits several tons of black carbon into the upper atmosphere, where it can linger for years.Space tourism contributes disproportionately to climate changeand ozone depletion compared to regular aviation. Some reports suggest a singlespace flight produces more carbonthan a person will emit in their entire lifetime – and it’s particularly damming since the recent trip wasn’t about scientific research, but rather a symbolic PR moment.
If Kris and Kim had joined the mission, they would’ve been directly associated with this controversy. And that’s risky for a family that’salready under fire for their carbon-heavy lifestyle. The Kardashian-Jenners have been criticized for everything fromoverusing water during droughtsto theextravagant use of private jets–Kylie Jenner once took a 17-minute flightthat could’ve been an easy car ride. The family isn’t known for being eco-friendly, so being part of theBlue Origin flight would’ve intensified that criticism.
It’s no secret that ratings forHulu’sThe Kardashianshave been struggling. Kris is reportedly getting worried andlooking for ways to boost viewer interest– includingsecuring more intriguing headlines. A storyline involving space travel could’ve done just that. Even being associated with thecontroversy may have even worked in their favor, if only toattract hate-watchers. But while some say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, that isn’t always true – especially when you’re the Kardashians, and already battling accusations of being out of touch, environmentally irresponsible, and culturally tone-deaf. The Blue Originmission could’ve been the tipping point.
Kris is a business mastermind. Her presence at the launch suggests she supported the mission, in general. But it’s possible she still wanted to keep the family at arm’s length.Kris may have sensed the backlashbefore it even began. And given what the crew members are dealing with now, staying grounded may have been one of the smartest decisions the Kardashians have made in recent years.
