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First Black Woman in Space Corrects News Anchor Over ‘Mankind’ Terminology During All-Female Space Flight Discussion
In a notable television moment, Dr. Mae Jemison, the first African American woman to venture into space, gently rebuked a CBS News presenter for employing the term ‘mankind’. This occurred during a live broadcast concerning the groundbreaking all-female Blue Origin space expedition. The esteemed astronaut corrected Vladimir Duthiers of CBS News after he inadvertently used the phrase while inquiring about the significance of Monday’s landmark mission, emphasizing the importance of inclusive language when discussing space exploration and its benefits for all of humanity.
Anchor’s Terminology Prompted Correction
During the interview segment, Duthiers posed the question: ‘Explain to our audience why even a trip like this one, all the trips that we take into space, benefit mankind?’
Dr. Jemison promptly responded, ‘First of all it benefits humankind, and I’m going to keep correcting the mankind and the manmade and the manned missions,’ which elicited immediate apologies from the news anchor.
She further articulated, ‘This is exactly what this mission is about, it’s expanding the perception of who does space.’
Jemison’s Pioneering Legacy and the All-Female Flight
Dr. Jemison attained iconic status in 1992 when she became the first African American woman to travel to space aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
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Over two decades later, the pioneering all-female Blue Origin flight successfully launched at 9:30 am ET on Monday from West Texas, carrying six women on board.
The All-Female Blue Origin Crew
The diverse crew consisted of prominent women including:
- Singer Katy Perry
- CBS Mornings’ Gayle King
- Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sanchez
- Civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyne
- Filmmaker Kieranne Flynn
- NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe
Experiencing Space and Zero Gravity
The women’s space voyage lasted approximately 11 minutes, providing them with the unique experience of zero gravity.
Despite visible excitement inside the capsule, audible cheers and screams were noted as the New Shepard rocket ascended into space and again upon its gentle touchdown back on Earth.
Post-Landing Exuberance and Celebration
Following the safe return, celebrations commenced, humorously marked by Jeff Bezos momentarily tripping while rushing to greet the returning crew and open the capsule hatch.
Katy Perry spearheaded the post-flight jubilation, kneeling and kissing the ground in Texas, a gesture echoed by several fellow crew members.
A recovery team swiftly attended to the capsule, assisting Perry and her companions after their historic space endeavor.
Lauren Sánchez embraced Bezos upon exiting the capsule before quickly reuniting with her family.
Perry, brandishing a daisy flower, expressed being emotionally overcome by the experience.
Perry’s Reflection on the Space Flight
‘It is the highest high,’ Perry remarked, ‘and it is surrender to the unknown, trust. I couldn’t recommend this experience more.’
Symbolism of Daisies and the Mission’s Deeper Meaning
‘Daisies are common flowers, but they grow through any condition… They are resilient. They are powerful. They are strong,’ the pop star elaborated, highlighting the symbolic resilience and strength associated with the mission and its participants.
Perry also shared that she sang ‘What a Wonderful World’ during the space capsule journey, emphasizing the mission’s collective spirit and broader implications.
‘It’s not about singing my songs. It’s about a collective energy in there. It’s about us. It’s about making space for future women and taking up space and belonging,’ she stated in a post-flight interview.
‘And it’s about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth,’ Perry concluded, underscoring the mission’s purpose beyond personal achievement.
Flight Dynamics and Technical Aspects
During the launch phase, the rocket’s singular BE-3PM engine ignited, propelling the crew into the cosmos.
Utilizing a combination of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, the engine generated approximately 50,000 kg of thrust, with water vapor as the sole emission byproduct.
Rapidly accelerating, the rocket attained velocities exceeding 2,000 miles per hour within minutes—surpassing twice the speed of sound.
Both the capsule and its occupants encountered significant gravitational forces as the rocket reached Max-Q, the point of maximum aerodynamic stress in aerospace engineering.
Gravity and Crew Experience Aboard
According to Blue Origin, Perry and her fellow space travelers experienced gravitational forces three times greater than Earth’s gravity during the booster’s acceleration phase.
This flight represented Blue Origin’s eleventh manned space venture and notably marked the first exclusively female space mission since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963, further emphasizing the historical significance of this Blue Origin all-female space flight.