Katy Perry is slated to be part of an all-women crew launching into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard, a historic step forward for gender representation in space exploration scheduled to take place this spring.
Katy Perry Set to Make History on All-Women Blue Origin Space Flight
Katy Perry Set to Make History on All-Women Blue Origin Space Flight
Pop superstar Katy Perry joins a groundbreaking crew for the first all-female space mission.
Pop icon Katy Perry is set to embark on a historic journey into space as part of Blue Origin's upcoming all-women flight. The "Firework" singer will join an extraordinary group, including Lauren Sanchez, the fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos; CBS anchor Gayle King; former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe; civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen; and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
Blue Origin announced that this mission will be the first all-female crew since Valentina Tereshkova’s historic solo mission for the Soviet Union in 1963. While an exact launch date has not been confirmed, the mission is expected to occur this spring, prior to Perry's scheduled "Lifetimes Tour" from April 23 to November 11.
In a statement, Perry expressed her excitement, stating, "If you had told me I'd be part of the first all-female crew in space, I would have believed you. Nothing was beyond my imagination as a child." The NS-31 mission marks the 11th human flight for the New Shepard rocket and the 31st in its operational history, having already sent 52 individuals to space successfully.
Typically, flights aboard the New Shepard last around 11 minutes, during which passengers will experience space beyond the Karman line, the internationally recognized boundary of space—without the need for a pilot, as the spacecraft is fully autonomous.
Blue Origin has credited Sanchez for orchestrating this mission, emphasizing its potential to inspire future generations by fostering a diverse range of stories from women who challenge their perspectives on Earth and beyond. Sanchez shared her vision of paving the way for women to participate in space exploration during a recent interview with Vogue.
This upcoming flight continues the trend of celebrity space travel, following high-profile missions featuring figures such as Jeff Bezos, Michael Strahan, and William Shatner. Notably, Richard Branson of Virgin Galactic also completed a flight in July 2021, while SpaceX's Elon Musk has yet to make a personal space journey.
The implications of this mission resonate far beyond entertainment, highlighting the significance of female representation in traditionally male-dominated sectors like space exploration. As interest in space tourism surges, the upcoming all-women launch symbolizes not only advancements in technology but also progress towards gender equality in the field.
