When we were growing up, space missions were launched by the wealthy governments of countries like Russia and the USA to advance science and technology and improve various aspects of human civilisation. India’s missions were of special interest as they felt closer to home. However, the recent launch of an all-women team of six celebrities — who have excelled in diverse professions — on April 14, 2025, has given an entirely new meaning to space travel.
Today, space trips are no longer limited to advancing science and technology — they can simply be for tourism. In 1963, Valentina Tereshkova of the former Soviet Union became the first woman to set foot in space. As the sole astronaut on her mission, it was also the first women-only space flight.
On April 14, 2025, six female celebrities embarked on another women-only trip —a short, almost 11-minute journey aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket and capsule. Valentina orbited Earth in the Vostok 6 space capsule and spent almost three days in space during her solo mission. After Tereshkova, six women have now made history again — this time as space tourists.
Different mission Though the purposes of these missions were vastly different, both were historic. Valentina’s trip was driven by scientific research and funded by the state. But it also shattered a glass ceiling and inspired women around the world to believe they could break barriers and achieve what they are capable of.
Yesterday (April 14), a very differen.
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