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Blue Origin's Star-Studded Crew Reaches Space—but FAA Says 'Not Astronauts'

US Primely April 19, 2025
Blue Origin launched its first all-female civilian crew into space.


FAA Sparks Controversy Over Blue Origin's All-Female Crew: ‘You Cannot Identify as an Astronaut’

Brave and Glam’ but Not Astronauts: FAA Draws Line After All-Female Spaceflight

DECK
Blue Origin's historic female-led spaceflight stirs debate as federal guidelines disqualify the team from official astronaut status, citing lack of mission-critical roles.

KEY FACTS

  • What: Blue Origin launched its first all-female civilian crew into space.

  • When: Mission completed earlier this week.

  • Where: Suborbital spaceflight reaching the edge of Earth’s atmosphere.

  • Who: Crew included Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez.

  • Why It Matters: FAA guidelines state participants did not perform essential safety roles.

  • Official Reaction: Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy reiterated that the crew does not meet astronaut qualification standards.

SITUATION SNAPSHOT
In a mission hailed as a cultural milestone, six women soared beyond Earth’s edge aboard a fully automated Blue Origin flight. Cameras captured beaming smiles and weightless wonder. But the celebratory tone dimmed quickly when federal definitions clipped their wings—at least in name.

WHAT WE KNOW
Blue Origin’s female-dominated space crew drew global attention with its high-profile lineup. The suborbital journey was executed without manual intervention, utilizing automated systems.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy posted on X, praising the team as “brave and glam,” yet clarified that FAA standards disqualify them from receiving astronaut titles.

"The U.S. commercial space industry is an inspiring project which showcases American ingenuity and exceptionalism," Duffy stated. However, he cited the FAA’s former Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program guidelines, which required crewmembers to contribute significantly to public or spaceflight safety during missions—something this crew reportedly did not do.

Although the six women are featured on the FAA’s historical list of spaceflight participants, none were awarded astronaut wings due to the absence of mission-critical tasks during their automated journey.

WHAT’S NEXT
The FAA no longer awards astronaut wings since retiring the program in 2021. Nevertheless, public pressure may intensify for an updated classification system as commercial space tourism grows. Blue Origin has not yet commented on Duffy’s remarks or the ongoing terminology debate. Industry insiders expect further scrutiny on the line between “passenger” and “astronaut” in future flights.


VOICES ON THE GROUND
"The crew who flew to space this week on an automated flight by Blue Origin were brave and glam, but you cannot identify as an astronaut," Duffy reiterated in his statement. "They do not meet the FAA astronaut criteria."

CONTEXT
The FAA’s Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program, active from 2004 to 2021, set strict benchmarks for astronaut status: travel at least 50 miles above Earth and perform functions vital to flight safety. The rise of commercial space tourism, especially automated flights, complicated these criteria.

NASA, meanwhile, applies a different metric, restricting the astronaut title to professionals chosen for its corps. Merriam-Webster splits the difference—its broad definition includes anyone who has traveled beyond Earth’s atmosphere, though its more formal one requires it to be a profession.

REPORTER INSIGHT
While the debate may appear semantic, the symbolism matters deeply. As barriers break in aerospace, the tension between inspiration and official recognition grows. Standing on Earth, their spaceflight inspired millions—but orbit alone, it seems, isn’t always enough to reach the stars in title.

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