Meet Amanda Nguyen, who just joined Blue Origin’s all-female space flight along with Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez: the 33-year-old astronaut and activist performed 2 science experiments on board

Apr 15 , 2025

Astronaut and activist Amanda Nguyen just got back from visiting space on Blue Origin with Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez and others. Photos: @aishabowe, @amandangocnguyen/Instagram

An author and civil rights activist who studied astrophysics at Harvard, Nguyen conducted one of the experiments in partnership with the Vietnamese National Space Center – a nod to her heritage

Amanda Nguyen is only in her early 30s, yet she’s achieved more than most of us would in a lifetime.

From being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019, to getting sexual assault survivor rights passed in the US, the astronaut and activist has a lot to be proud of. Now she’s made history as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman to go to space.

Yesterday Nguyen joined Blue Origin’s historic first all-female crew, which also included Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

The crew lifted off from Launch Site One in West Texas at 8.30am local time.

Amanda Nguyen shared this photo of herself wearing her astronaut flight suit for the first time in October last year. Photo: @amandangocnguyen/Instagram

During the mission, Nguyen conducted two science experiments, one in partnership with the Vietnamese National Space Center and one focused on female health.

Amanda Nguyen went to space with Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez on April 14. Photo: @amandangocnguyen/Instagram

“Women were barred from becoming astronauts at Nasa early on because of menstruation,” Nguyen told CBS News, adding, “They didn’t have the data to back that up.”

Here’s what to know about Amanda Nguyen and how she’s overcome her life’s challenges.