Pop icon Katy Perry has etched her name into the stars—literally—by joining a groundbreaking space mission organized by Jeff Bezos’s private space company, Blue Origin. This short suborbital flight wasn’t just another space tourism venture; it was a powerful symbol of female representation in space exploration.
A Star-Studded, All-Female Crew
The mission, designated NS-31, featured an all-women crew of six. Alongside Perry were former NASA aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, human rights activist Amanda Nguyen, celebrated journalist Gayle King, filmmaker Kerianne Flynn, and Bezos’s fiancée and aviation enthusiast Lauren Sánchez. The launch was streamed live on Blue Origin’s website and YouTube channel.
Soaring Past the Edge of Space
Launched from Blue Origin’s West Texas facility, the flight used the company’s reusable New Shepard rocket. The eight-minute journey soared past the Kármán line—an internationally recognized boundary of space located 100 kilometers above Earth. The crew capsule, descending with three large parachutes, landed safely back on solid ground shortly after separation from the rocket.
An Emotional Homecoming
Jeff Bezos personally greeted the astronauts upon landing, unlocking the capsule with a ceremonial key. He first embraced Sánchez, then Katy Perry emerged, visibly moved, dropping to her knees and kissing the ground—a gesture soon echoed by Gayle King.
A Milestone in Space History
This mission marked the first all-women space crew since Valentina Tereshkova’s historic solo flight in 1963. It also represented Blue Origin’s 11th crewed suborbital mission. While the company does not disclose the cost of its spaceflights, it’s clear that they are designed to democratize access to space.
This memorable journey underscores the growing role of civilians—and especially women—in space travel, breaking traditional barriers and inspiring future generations to reach for the stars.