Pop sensation Katy Perry embarked on a journey beyond Earth on Monday, joining an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The historic flight marked the first all-woman space mission since Valentina Tereshkova’s groundbreaking solo journey in 1963.
The “Firework” and “California Gurls” singer ascended over 100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, experiencing weightlessness and witnessing the curvature of our planet. The mission, orchestrated by Blue Origin, took off from western Texas shortly after 8:30 a.m. and concluded with a safe landing approximately ten minutes later.
Joining Perry was Lauren Sanchez, a helicopter pilot, former TV journalist, and fiancée of Blue Origin’s founder Jeff Bezos. Sanchez personally invited the crew members for this unique adventure, adding star power with CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, and scientist Amanda Nguyen.
As their fully automated craft soared vertically, the crew capsule detached mid-flight, granting the passengers an unparalleled view of space before descending back to Earth, aided by parachutes and a retro rocket. The flight crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, offering the crew a truly out-of-this-world experience.
Among those cheering from the ground was talk show legend Oprah Winfrey, who joined the audience in Texas to support her close friend Gayle King. The mission highlights Blue Origin’s continued efforts in space tourism, having conducted 11 sub-orbital crewed operations to date. While ticket prices remain undisclosed, the company continues to make strides in making space accessible to a broader audience.
This landmark flight not only showcases advancements in private space travel but also celebrates the empowerment of women in science and exploration. Amanda Nguyen, who now advocates for survivors of sexual violence, and Aisha Bowe, who promotes science education through her companies, exemplify the mission’s inspiring impact.
