Pop star Katy Perry and five other women have safely returned to Earth after a brief journey to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The flight marked the first all-female crewed spaceflight in more than 60 years.
Perry was joined by Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Jeff Bezos, and CBS journalist Gayle King, who described hearing Perry sing “What a Wonderful World” in space as a standout moment.
After the 11-minute suborbital flight, which crossed the Kármán Line (100 km above Earth), the crew landed safely in the West Texas desert via parachute-assisted capsule. Upon landing, Perry expressed feeling “super connected to life” and lifted a daisy—her daughter’s name—to the sky. King, moved by the experience, knelt and kissed the ground.
The other crew members included former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn, who joyfully exclaimed, “I went to space!” as she exited the capsule.
The rocket launched from Blue Origin’s facility near Van Horn, Texas, and both the booster and capsule landed safely, showcasing the full reusability of the New Shepard system. The mission, dubbed NS-31, was fully autonomous and required no pilots.
Spectators, including Khloé Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey, watched from the ground. Kardashian described the experience as emotionally overwhelming. Oprah, speaking about Gayle King, applauded her friend’s courage, highlighting her fear of flying and how this mission helped her conquer it.
The last all-female space mission occurred in 1963 when Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space. Since then, many women have contributed to space exploration, but no full crew had been entirely female—until now.
While the flight received global attention and praise for its social impact, it also faced criticism. Dr. Kai-Uwe Schrogl of the European Space Agency argued that spaceflight should prioritize science, not celebrity tourism. Others, including Dr. Tanya Harrison of the Outer Space Institute, called it a “marketing stunt,” though she acknowledged it might inspire broader participation.
The mission sparked a mix of enthusiasm and backlash on social media. Some users mocked the flight as “Real Housewives go to Mars,” while others celebrated the event as empowering and inspirational.
During a post-flight news conference, both Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez defended the mission. King noted the overwhelming response from young girls and women. Sánchez emphasized the dedication of the thousands of Blue Origin employees involved.
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, has focused on making space travel more accessible. The company hasn’t disclosed full ticket prices, but a $150,000 deposit is required to reserve a seat—highlighting the exclusivity of these missions.
The New Shepard is fully reusable. The 60-foot rocket features autonomous guidance, vertical landing capabilities, and environmental claims of producing only water vapor emissions. However, experts like Prof. Eloise Marais warn that water vapor in the upper atmosphere can still damage the ozone layer and alter climate patterns.
As the space tourism industry grows, criticism over cost, accessibility, and environmental impact has intensified. Actress Olivia Munn questioned the timing and messaging of such elite ventures, citing global economic struggles: “There’s a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs.”
Still, many see the mission as a landmark achievement. With more women entering space and private companies pushing innovation, the Katy Perry Blue Origin spaceflight may pave the way for broader inclusion—even as debates over equity and purpose continue.
