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Space Glam: Billionaire’s Fiancée and Star Friends Blast Off in Style!

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A group of six women, equipped with unique blue spacesuits, artificial eyelashes, teddy bears, postcards, and diapers, plan to embark on a brief journey into space aboard Jeff Bezos’ rocket, all in the spirit of breaking new ground as astronauts.

history is set to be rewritten when the New Shepard, operated by his company Blue Origin, carries out its upcoming mission – marking it as the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova embarked on her solo journey.

Lauren Sanchez, a helicopter pilot, journalist, philanthropist, children’s author, and fiancée of Amazon mogul Bezos, will have these women on board for the 11-minute flight. These five female pilots were personally selected by her, and they are all fortunate guests, having been invited to join free of charge.

Typically, a seat is priced between $200,000 and $300,000, but at auctions, it can fetch prices in the millions.

In regular sales, a seat usually costs anywhere from $200,000 to $300,000, while at auction, they have been known to sell for millions.

Or:
At usual sales, seats are valued between $200,000 and $300,000, but in auctions, they can reach prices of millions.

Among those strapping in for lift-off is pop singer Katy Perry and US news anchor Gayle King.

The discussion is heated on whether the occurrence signifies a milestone for feminism or merely a questionable publicity move by Bezos, accompanied by a somewhat awkward-looking rocket.

But what actually happens in the flight? And why is the rocket shaped like that?

WHO’S WHO IN THE CREW

The oldest member is CBS presenter Gayle King, 70. 

Previously, she declined the proposal made by Bezos and Sanchez, friends of hers going back many years; however, they have now formed a partnership, having sailed together on their yacht in Italy, among other shared experiences.

She said: ‘When I got the call from Lauren and Jeff, my first reaction was a ‘No’.

After speaking with numerous individuals who have experienced this, I must admit that I harbor considerable apprehension, yet I am equally intrigued. It reminds me of the unique blend of fear and exhilaration I felt during my childbirth experience.

At the start of this year, I expressed my willingness for fresh experiences. Now, I’m present, and boy, I’m thrilled about the journey ahead!

King, a confidant of Oprah Winfrey and Meghan Sussex, acknowledges that she has started practicing meditation as a means to soothe her exceptionally high stress levels, which she describes as being at an “11 out of 10,” in the lead-up to the impending event.

There’s been some criticism after a journalist accepted a gift from Bezos, who recently sparked debate by using his ownership of The Washington Post (since 2013) to declare that its opinion section will now prioritize ‘personal freedoms and free markets’. This change represents a significant departure from the section’s previous wide-ranging perspective.

One disgruntled Post staffer said it was ‘kind of gross’ for King to be endorsing Bezos.

For over two years, Sanchez, aged 55, was involved with Bezos. This relationship led to the termination of their respective earlier marriages.

They reside in numerous mansions spread throughout the U.S., and they plan to wed in Venice in June. Before establishing a helicopter firm catering to the movie industry, she was well-known as a news anchor and television host for local stations.

After linking up with the tycoon, she has since been appointed vice-chair of the Bezos Earth Fund and penned a book titled “The Fly Who Flew To Space”. This book received a five-star rating from Bezos on Amazon. On the upcoming space flight on Monday, she will bring along a soft toy modeled after the fly character.

Additionally, Katy Perry, aged 40, popular pop singer known for her brief marriage to Russell Brand and current relationship with actor Orlando Bloom in Los Angeles, where they reside with their four-year-old daughter Daisy, has joined the crew. She’s curated a playlist that’s approximately three times longer than the flight duration, excitedly announcing: ‘Space will finally be glamorous!’

For over two decades, she has harbored a dream of venturing into space, and this desire is shared by Bloom, who is often found within Bezos’ social circle. Additionally, Perry mentions that Daisy, too, expresses interest in riding the rocket – on the condition that it can be painted a vibrant pink color.

Additionally, they will also have the presence of Aisha Bowe, a former rocket scientist at age 38, Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist who is 33 years old, and film producer Kerianne Flynn, who is 57.

THIS SEASON’S ASTRO-FASHION

‘Nappies and a blue flightsuit.’

As a devoted admirer, I’d like to share some practical insights from the legendary actor William Shatner, who had the extraordinary experience of traveling on the New Shepard flight earlier. He recounted his journey, emphasizing: ‘From the moment I stepped away from my bed and prepared for the spacecraft, through press interactions, ascension, descent, and more press encounters – it was a lengthy process. Notably, there are no restroom facilities onboard, so they equip you with diapers.’

In an interview with Elle magazine, the six women spoke about getting dolled up for the occasion. 

Perry shared: “I’d love to bring makeup along if I could.

Sanchez announced excitedly, “We’ll be applying false eyelashes in the capsule!” He also shared, “Mine are attached with glue. They’re holding up well.

Nguyen expressed: “It truly matters that others perceive us as encompassing both engineering and science, as well as beauty and fashion. We, women, are complex individuals. I plan on sporting some lipstick.

GETTING READY FOR LIFT-OFF

NASA astronauts go through extensive years of education, yet the six individuals aboard the New Shepard capsule won’t be operating the rocket manually; instead, it’s completely controlled by computers, eliminating the need for any technical training.

However, prior to takeoff from Launch Site One, a spaceport located in Van Horn, Texas (close to the Mexican border), there are two days set aside for compulsory training to meet Federal Aviation Administration guidelines.

Primarily, the team needs to regularly train on buckling themselves back into their reclining seats following periods of weightlessness. This training is crucial as it addresses a significant risk.

Shatner stated: ‘If you don’t secure yourself properly, there’s a risk of injuring your back. The correct sequence for fastening is: left shoulder first, followed by right shoulder, then waist, and finally crotch. By the time you reach the final straps, you’re already lying down and it can be challenging to see where they should be attached.’

Additionally, he mentioned that prior to takeoff, he was briefed about a reinforced chamber filled with oxygen canisters, intended for passenger safety if the rocket were to malfunction. However, this information did little to alleviate his concerns.

EXTRAORDINARY 11-MINUTE TRIP

Upon blasting off, I find myself hurtling at an astonishing 2,233 miles per hour! At this speed, the crew encounters a staggering 3G – that’s three times Earth’s gravitational pull. This force makes them feel as if they’re being squashed into their seats or pushed back with incredible might. In such extreme conditions, it becomes quite challenging for them to even lift their arms!

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share some fascinating insights about G-forces and their impact on human physiology. Pilots often encounter temporary loss of consciousness due to G-forces, typically around 5.4 times the force of gravity. However, in the scenario we’re discussing, these forces are significantly lower than that threshold.

The rocket is headed towards the Karman Line, a boundary identified by Theodore von Kármán, a Hungarian physicist. This boundary, located approximately 62 miles above the Earth, is commonly recognized as the dividing line between our planet’s atmosphere and the vastness of outer space.

After reaching the appropriate moment, the team can detach from their restraints and experience approximately four minutes of floating freely within their pod. Later, they will re-strap themselves into their seats and spend about three minutes as the capsule descends back towards Earth.

The entire trip lasts anywhere from ten to eleven minutes. Previously recorded flights show other crews performing stunts like shouting, flipping, and snapping selfies while experiencing weightlessness. Unlike others, though, it wasn’t Shatner who did this.

Despite his fame for portraying the most renowned fictional space explorer, Captain James T Kirk in Star Trek (a series that Bezos admires), Shatner shared a moment of profound existential fear as he gazed into the vast emptiness of space. He had anticipated that venturing into space would be the ultimate release, the connection he sought between all life forms. Instead, being there felt like an enigmatic step towards grasping the cosmic harmony of the universe.

My encounter was unique, as I found that the splendor doesn’t lie elsewhere; instead, it resides among us.

Referred to as the Overview Effect, this phenomenon has reportedly been experienced by several astronauts, such as the Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

King expresses unique anticipations: “I’m eager to experience weightlessness and discover its sensation. Additionally, I’m excited about catching a glimpse of the cosmos. In essence, my first action will be to open my eyes.

It appears that Sanchez is of the belief that this encounter will spark inspiration in future generations. To be honest, I haven’t a clue what it will entail. However, what truly thrills me is the prospect of returning and inspiring others, as well as uniting people.

Children, both girls and boys, will grow increasingly intrigued by the mysteries of space and beyond, as we draw focus towards it. It’s exciting to think that this could spark curiosity in a new wave of young minds.

WILL THEY REALLY BE WEIGHTLESS?

During their journey, the crew won’t feel weight due to being in a capsule that’s moving back towards Earth along a specific path, not because they’re briefly exempt from Earth’s gravitational pull.

In the spellbinding moments of ‘weightlessness’, I find myself plummeting hand-in-hand with the craft, mirroring the sensation of a rapid descent in an elevator or a rollercoaster’s steep drop. It’s fascinating to learn that when everything around me and I are falling at the same pace, devoid of air resistance, it creates the enchanting illusion of soaring through the void.

To be free from Earth’s gravitational pull, you’d need to journey approximately 13 million miles, a distance that’s more than 87 times greater than the moon’s position from us here on Earth.

Even high up at a distance of 248 miles, the International Space Station (ISS) experiences Earth’s pull and atmospheric effects. Upon its return, the spacecraft will descend to Earth with the aid of parachutes, touching down in the barren desert landscape of West Texas.

IS IT REALLY A SPACE FLIGHT?

While the Karman Line is generally recognized as the boundary between Earth and space, and it serves as a significant point for the commercial space travel sector, it certainly does not equate to deep space.

Beyond doubt, it’s not just the edge of our planet’s atmosphere you’re referring to. It’s made up of five distinct layers – troposphere, stratosphere, mesosphere, thermosphere, and exosphere. These layers stretch approximately 497 miles above Earth. Interestingly, it is possible to achieve orbit at an altitude of about 99 miles above the Earth, where friction with the atmosphere becomes minimal.

WHY IS THE ROCKET ‘THAT’ shape?

The New Shepard, with its long, slender booster and a rounded crew capsule on top, bears a resemblance to the rocket seen in the popular comedy film Austin Powers, often associated with Dr Evil. However, some have also noted that it looks quite different from anything else.

Daniel Ramspacher, an engineer specializing in propulsion at Goddard Space Center, shares that the unique form of the rocket is designed for seamless compatibility with Bezos’ forthcoming rocket, named New Glenn – a spacecraft following the legacy of the New Shepard. In simpler terms, the capsule on top of the rocket will snugly fit onto the New Glenn.

Rampsacher, expressing his personal opinion and not representing his employer, mentioned: ‘The New Glenn will be their upcoming launch vehicle, significantly bigger and custom-built for the capsule atop the New Shepard. Its increased size is due to the wider dimensions of the next generation rocket. This spacecraft might just be one of the most strikingly elongated you’ll encounter in space travel.’

NOT THE FIRST

To date, 52 individuals have embarked on 31 different flights aboard the New Shepard since its maiden human voyage in 2021. Among them was billionaire explorer Hamish Harding, who unfortunately met his end during an expedition with OceanGate’s submersible while observing the Titanic wreckage.

82-year-old trailblazing female aviator Wally Funk embarked on a flight, while investor Evan Dick, from Dick Holdings, experienced two flights previously.

In 2022, globetrotting business professor Jim Kitchen ascended to the skies, having visited every nation recognized by the United Nations on our planet.

WHAT’S IN IT FOR JEFF?

From my perspective as a lifestyle advisor, I’d recommend a grand pre-wedding extravaganza for Lauren that would make any hen weekend appear modest by comparison. This event, however, serves a dual purpose: not only does it celebrate her special occasion, but also generates significant buzz, which is crucial for Jeff Bezos at this juncture. Currently, he’s locked in a competitive race with Elon Musk, vying for NASA funding. The media attention garnered from this event could potentially tip the scales in his favor.

Beginning from 2021, NASA has proposed providing a substantial amount, around hundreds of millions, to private businesses for creating commercial space stations. These space stations would potentially replace the International Space Station (ISS).

To date, it has distributed approximately $400 million among various companies, such as Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin, which intends to construct a space station named Orbital Reef by 2027. Bezos envisions that in the near future, millions of people will inhabit space stations.

Before that, however, he’ll be wishing his fiancee and her pals make it safely back to Earth.

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2025-04-12 02:20

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