Curious about what happened after Lauren Sánchez and her all-female Blue Origin crew landed? The historic mission ended without issue—but attention quickly shifted when Jeff Bezos nearly face-planted near the landing site. As cameras rolled and the internet reacted in real time, the billionaire’s stumble became a surprise headline.
Here’s what happened after Blue Origin’s NS-31 crew returned to Earth.
What happened to Jeff Bezos after Blue Origin return?
Jeff Bezos tripped and nearly fell face-first after the return of Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission on April 14, 2025. The Amazon founder, who was waiting near the West Texas landing site, lost his footing in a shallow ditch as he moved toward the capsule to greet fiancée Lauren Sánchez and the all-female crew.
Excuse me while I watch @JeffBezos faceplant a million times pic.twitter.com/HiPamzEmD6
— Wu Tang is for the Children (@WUTangKids) April 14, 2025
Bezos caught himself just inches from a full face-plant and quickly recovered, brushing off the stumble before embracing Sánchez. Cameras captured the incident live, and social media users responded with memes and captions like “Billionaire down!” referencing the viral moment.
The NS-31 mission featured six women: Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Kerianne Flynn, and Katy Perry. The brief suborbital flight lasted around 10 minutes, reached the Kármán line, and ended with a smooth parachute landing in the desert.
Prior to launch, Bezos told the crew, “I’m so excited for you… When you get back, I can’t wait to hear how it’s changed you” (via Page Six). Sánchez wore a custom blue suit, drawing online attention alongside the mission’s success.
The audience at the landing site included high-profile guests such as Khloé Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Oprah Winfrey, and Perry’s daughter Daisy. As the crew exited the capsule, Bezos’ misstep drew unexpected attention despite the flawless return.
Lauren Sánchez was reportedly criticized online for the crew’s stylized space suits, with some commentators saying she prioritized fashion. Nonetheless, the mission marked a milestone as all six participants officially became astronauts after crossing the edge of space.
