Blue Origin, the private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded by Jeff Bezos, made history on Monday by launching its New Shepard rocket with the first all-female space crew since 1963. The mission, which took off at around 9:30 a.m. ET, marks the 31st trip of the rocket and its 11th mission with a crew on board.

The crew consisted of six women, including pop artist Katy Perry, "CBS Mornings" anchor Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, Bezos' fiancée Lauren Sánchez, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe. This milestone mission aimed to highlight the roles of women in astronautics, a field that has traditionally been dominated by men.

However, the achievement has been overshadowed by criticism that Blue Origin's space tourism venture is exclusive to the wealthy. The cost of reserving a spot on the New Shepard rocket is a staggering $150,000, making it inaccessible to the majority of the population. This has sparked concerns about the company's priorities, particularly during a time of economic hardship in the United States.

In response to these criticisms, Katy Perry offered a different perspective in a CBS interview. She emphasized that the experience of seeing the Earth from space would be a unifying moment, saying, "It won't be about me; it will be about the beautiful Earth we get to see. I think the perspective we're all going to walk away with is, 'Oh my gosh, we have to protect our mother.'" While Perry's sentiment is admirable, it does little to address the concerns about the exclusivity of Blue Origin's space tourism.

This mission comes as Blue Origin prepares for a second launch of its New Glenn rocket, scheduled for the spring. The company is positioning itself as a major player in the space tourism industry, competing directly with Elon Musk's SpaceX. As the space industry continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether companies like Blue Origin will prioritize accessibility and inclusivity or continue to cater to the wealthy elite.

The implications of this mission extend beyond the space tourism industry. As private companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX push the boundaries of space exploration, they are also driving innovation and advancements in technology. The development of reusable rockets, like the New Shepard, has the potential to significantly reduce the cost of access to space, opening up new opportunities for scientific research, satellite deployment, and even lunar and Mars exploration.

Despite the criticisms, Blue Origin's achievement is a significant milestone in the history of space exploration. The company's commitment to increasing diversity and representation in the space industry is a step in the right direction. As the space industry continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor the balance between innovation and accessibility, ensuring that the benefits of space exploration are shared by all, not just the privileged few.