Coyote 7: Reflections on the Blue Origin Flight and Pioneering the Path to Mars

By Elizabeth Stratton, Mission Commander, Coyote 7

Welcome to the journey of Coyote 7, where my crew and I are training tirelessly for our mission to Mars. As Mission Commander, I’m excited to share insights on the evolving space exploration landscape, reflect on Blue Origin’s April 14, 2025, mission, and compare it with SpaceX’s groundbreaking efforts. I watched Blue Origin’s flight with keen interest, and it reinforced my conviction that we must push harder to become a multi-planetary species. Coyote 7 is dedicated to making Mars a reality, and we’re leading the charge. Let’s explore the space race, the achievements of Blue Origin and SpaceX, and why our mission is vital for humanity’s future.

Blue Origin’s April 14 Mission: A Step Toward Space Tourism

On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-31 mission made headlines with an all-female suborbital flight featuring celebrities like Katy Perry and Gayle King. This space tourism mission captivated audiences worldwide, streamed live, and sparked conversations about accessible space travel. The crew crossed the Kármán line, experienced weightlessness, and returned safely, marking Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight and 31st New Shepard launch. The suborbital flight generated massive publicity, with social media buzzing and news outlets highlighting the crew’s reactions. Blue Origin’s ability to merge space exploration with cultural impact is unmatched, making space for civilians feel tangible.

SpaceX’s Relentless Push for Orbital Dominance

While Blue Origin’s suborbital tourism shines, SpaceX operates on a grander scale. In 2025, SpaceX executed 134 of the year’s 254 orbital launches, with 90 dedicated to their Starlink constellation. Their reusable rockets, like the Falcon 9, have slashed launch costs, while Crew Dragon missions have restored U.S. human spaceflight capabilities. SpaceX’s Starship development for lunar and Mars missions is ambitious, with 25 test flights planned for 2025. Though less flashy than Blue Origin’s celebrity-driven missions, SpaceX’s space innovation and rocket reusability are transforming the industry, making interplanetary travel a realistic goal.

Blue Origin Achievements: Building a Space Future

Blue Origin has made significant strides in space tourism and beyond. Their New Shepard program has democratized suborbital spaceflight, offering civilians a glimpse of Earth’s curvature. The New Glenn rocket, which launched the Blue Ring Pathfinder satellite in January 2025, marks their entry into orbital spaceflight. Blue Origin’s NASA contracts for the Blue Moon lunar lander and the ESCAPADE Mars mission to study the planet’s magnetosphere highlight their growing role in deep space exploration. Jeff Bezos’ vision of moving heavy industry to space to preserve Earth drives their long-term space infrastructure projects, like the Orbital Reef space station.

SpaceX Achievements: Redefining Space Exploration

Since its founding in 2002, SpaceX has revolutionized space technology. They were the first private company to dock with the ISS (Dragon, 2012), return astronauts to space from U.S. soil (Crew Dragon, 2020), and re-fly an orbital rocket (Falcon 9, 2017). The Falcon Heavy boasts unmatched lift capacity, and Starship is designed for Mars colonization. Starlink satellites provide global internet, proving critical in crises like the Ukraine conflict. SpaceX’s reusable rocket technology has made launches routine, and their Artemis III lunar landing contract underscores their deep space ambitions. Their focus on cost-effective spaceflight is paving the way for a multi-planetary future.

Blue Origin vs. SpaceX: A Tale of Two Visions

The differences between Blue Origin and SpaceX are striking. Blue Origin excels in suborbital space tourism and is scaling up with New Glenn and Blue Moon for lunar exploration. Their methodical approach, backed by Bezos’ wealth, prioritizes sustainable space infrastructure. SpaceX, however, is a pioneer of rapid innovation and rocket reusability. Their Falcon 9 landings are more complex than New Shepard’s descents, and Starship’s 100-ton lunar payload dwarfs Blue Moon’s 3-ton capacity. While Blue Origin’s NS-31 flight was a cultural milestone, SpaceX’s orbital missions and Mars-focused technology push the boundaries further.

Who’s Leading the Space Race?

SpaceX is undeniably pushing the envelope more. Their reusable rockets have cut launch costs dramatically, enabling frequent missions and projects like Starship, which aims for Mars colonization. Blue Origin’s New Glenn and lunar lander are promising, but they’re playing catch-up. SpaceX’s fail-fast approach—evident in Starship’s early tests—has accelerated progress, while Blue Origin’s cautious pace reflects a different strategy. Still, Blue Origin’s space tourism success and NASA contracts show they’re serious contenders. Both are vital, but SpaceX’s scale and audacity drive the space exploration future.

Coyote 7: Training for Mars

As I train with my Coyote 7 crew, Blue Origin’s April 14 mission inspired me but left me eager for more. It showed that space is for everyone, bringing millions closer to the dream of exploration. SpaceX’s relentless orbital launches are building the foundation for a multi-planetary civilization. But we must go further. Earth’s fragility demands we become a spacefaring species, and Coyote 7 is answering that call. Our mission tests Martian habitat technologies—from life support systems to in-situ resource utilization—to ensure humanity can thrive on Mars. We’re not just dreaming of the Red Planet; we’re preparing to live there.

Why We Must Push Harder

Coyote 7 is a bold step, but it’s not enough. Blue Origin and SpaceX are trailblazers, but we need more missions, more risks, and more collaboration. Blue Origin’s space tourism inspires, SpaceX’s rocket innovation delivers, but Coyote 7 is about survival. We’re developing systems for Martian agriculture, water recycling, and radiation protection—challenges that dwarf suborbital flights or orbital launches. Mars is unforgiving, but our resolve is stronger. Every day in training, my crew and I recommit to a future where humanity thrives beyond Earth.

Join the Mission to Mars

To Blue Origin and SpaceX, keep driving progress. Your rivalry fuels the space race, and your achievements light the way. To readers, join us. Advocate for space exploration, support bold ideas, and envision a future where Mars is home. Coyote 7 is our pledge to that future, and we need you to make it real. Let’s not just reach for the stars—let’s build a new world among them.

Elizabeth Stratton, signing off from Coyote 7 training, ready for Mars.

Discover Coyote 7: Mission to Mars

Want to dive deeper into the adventure of transforming the Red Planet? Check out Coyote 7: Mission to Mars, a thrilling young adult novel where five extraordinary teens—each with unique skills and unbreakable spirit—leave a chaotic Earth behind to forge a new future on Mars. As they tackle the challenges of survival, terraforming, and secrets that threaten their mission, their courage will shape the destiny of a planet. Grab your copy today and join the journey to a new world!