Blue Origin Makes History with All-Women Spaceflight Featuring Pop Star Katy Perry

Kazi Abul Monsur#

On Monday morning, space agency Blue Origin made history by successfully completing an all-women spaceflight through its New Shepard (NS-31) rocket. Among the six female participants was popular American pop star Katy Perry, whose presence made the mission especially eye-catching.

 A Historic 11-Minute Journey

Blue Origin reported that the flight launched from their Launch Site One in West Texas at 8:30 AM CDT on Monday. The journey lasted a total of 11 minutes, during which the rocket crossed the Kármán line — an imaginary boundary 100 km (62 miles) above sea level considered the edge between Earth’s atmosphere and space.

The Six Courageous Women on Board

Each of the six women on this mission is a distinguished figure in her own field:

Katy Perry – The pop superstar had long dreamed of going to space. On social media, she wrote, “I’ve dreamed of this for 15 years, and now it’s real.”

Lauren Sánchez – A journalist and helicopter pilot, and fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.

Gayle King – A veteran American journalist and TV host, known for her long-standing media presence.

Aisha Bowe – A former NASA rocket scientist and advocate for STEM education among young women.

Amanda Nguyen – A bioastronautics researcher, civil rights activist, and key figure in changing U.S. laws on sexual violence.

Keren Flynn – An independent filmmaker with a deep interest in producing space-based documentaries.

What Was Their Experience Like?

Katy Perry said, “It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” During the journey, she sang “What a Wonderful World” and kissed the ground upon returning to Earth.

Lauren Sánchez said, “I saw the Earth in a new light.” The silence and beauty of the planet from above deeply moved her, calling the experience “transformative” and “extraordinary.”

Gayle King stated, “I overcame fear and stepped into a new horizon.” She admitted to being scared but said the flight made her braver. “This journey will inspire young women,” she added.

Amanda Nguyen conducted a scientific experiment in space focused on women’s health. She said the mission would open “a new frontier for female-focused research in space.”

 First All-Women Space Mission Since 1963

Blue Origin noted that this was the first full-fledged all-women space mission since 1963. Back then, only one woman — Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova — had gone to space solo. This mission thus sets a new precedent in space history.

 Reusable Tech for Future Space Tourism

The New Shepard rocket is a fully automated, reusable suborbital vehicle designed for space tourism. Its capsule returns safely to Earth with the help of parachutes. The mission showcases the potential for ordinary people to explore space in the near future.

Blue Origin’s Vision for the Future

Founded by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin aims to make space tourism accessible to the general public. Their future goals include landing on the Moon, building space stations, and participating in Mars exploration.

 A Historic Moment Beyond Technology

The NS-31 mission is not just a technological achievement, but a social milestone. It highlights the power and potential of women in space exploration. The participation of a global celebrity like Katy Perry has amplified public interest, turning this journey into an inspiration for generations to come.##