Katy Perry Blue Origin Spaceflight Blasts Off with All-Female Crew on NS-31
Pop superstar Katy Perry has officially added “space traveler” to her resume. On Monday morning, she joined an all-women team aboard the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket for a short suborbital spaceflight — a mission dubbed NS-31.
The trip marked a milestone in private aerospace history, as it was the first all-female crewed mission since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova made her solo orbital journey in 1963. The Katy Perry Blue Origin mission lasted just over 11 minutes but carried huge symbolic weight.
When Did the Katy Perry Blue Origin Rocket Launch?
The flight lifted off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas shortly after 9:30 a.m. EDT. Designed for quick, suborbital journeys, the rocket carried its crew just beyond the Kármán line—the internationally recognized edge of space, about 62 miles above sea level.
After a brief moment of weightlessness, the capsule returned to Earth under parachutes while the rocket booster made a precision landing nearby.
Who Was on Board the Katy Perry Blue Origin Flight?
This flight was anything but ordinary. The passenger list was packed with powerful women from entertainment, journalism, science, and activism:
- Katy Perry – International pop icon and now space traveler- brought a cosmic playlist including “Starships,” “Starman,” and her own hit “E.T.”
- Gayle King – Acclaimed journalist and CBS Morning anchor, who said she felt both terrified and excited before liftoff.
- Lauren Sánchez – Pilot, journalist, and fiancée of Jeff Bezos, who helped organize the mission and redesign the crew’s space suits.
- Aisha Bowe – Former NASA engineer and the first Bahamian-American woman in space. She also carried student messages and conducted research experiments onboard.
- Amanda Nguyen – Civil rights leader, astronautical researcher, and the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space.
- Kerianne Flynn – Film producer and philanthropist who fulfilled a lifelong dream inspired by childhood stargazing sessions with her grandfather.
What Is Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket?
The New Shepard system is a reusable, fully automated rocket designed to carry six passengers into suborbital space. Named after Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut, the rocket launches vertically and separates mid-air. The capsule offers window views for every seat before descending gently back to Earth with parachutes.
The Katy Perry Blue Origin launch was part of the vehicle’s 11th crewed mission since its debut in 2021.
How Much Does a Blue Origin Flight Cost?
While the exact price of tickets remains undisclosed, Blue Origin requires a $150,000 deposit to even start the booking process. On its inaugural crewed launch, one seat sold at auction for $28 million.
Select passengers, such as celebrities or notable figures, may be invited to fly free as “honored guests,” which is likely how Perry and others joined the NS-31 mission.
Why This Mission Matters
This wasn’t just a luxury joyride for the rich and famous. The Katy Perry Blue Origin flight marked a turning point for both gender representation and diversity in the space industry. With women of multiple ethnic backgrounds, STEM experts, and human rights leaders on board, the mission represented bold steps forward for inclusion.
It also reignited conversations about the future of commercial space travel and how storytelling and science can intersect at the edge of Earth.
Where to Watch the Katy Perry Blue Origin Launch
Didn’t catch the launch live? Blue Origin streamed the entire mission on its official website and across its social platforms. Replays are available now, offering front-row seats to a moment of modern space history.
https://www.youtube.com/live/MZ7XHwMMSas?si=th0hlqBU12ziwGxD
