In a groundbreaking moment for space tourism, six remarkable women – including globally renowned pop star Katy Perry – soared to the edge of space on Monday aboard a Blue Origin rocket, the aerospace company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos.
Among the pioneering passengers was Bezos’s fiancée, Lauren Sanchez, a respected author and philanthropist, who led the all-female crew from the launch site in West Texas. The suborbital flight commenced around 8:30 AM local time (1330 GMT) and lasted approximately 10 minutes before the capsule made a safe parachute-assisted return to Earth.
Joining the mission were TV host Gayle King, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, and Amanda Nguyen, a well-known activist for survivors of sexual violence. Oprah Winfrey, a close friend of King, was seen in Texas to support the launch event.
Gayle King reflected on the surreal moment, stating, “It’s so quiet up there… you look back at our planet and realize how precious it is. It’s a wake-up call that we all need to be better.”
This flight marked a significant milestone as the first all-women crewed mission to space since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo expedition in 1963.
Brief Yet Powerful Journey to Space
The capsule ascended more than 100 kilometers (about 62 miles), crossing the Kármán line – the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. During the zero-gravity portion of the trip, the crew experienced a few magical minutes of weightlessness before descending back to Earth with the help of parachutes and a retro-thrust system.
Katy Perry, known for chart-toppers like Firework and California Gurls, brought along a small daisy flower as a symbol of love for her daughter, Daisy. Speaking after landing, she said, “I feel deeply connected to love right now.”
In an interview with Elle prior to the launch, Perry said her journey was inspired by her daughter: “I want her to dream without limits. When she goes to school and says, ‘My mom went to space,’ I hope that inspires her to believe anything is possible.”
The Future of Space Tourism
This mission adds to Blue Origin’s growing list of spaceflights – now totaling over 50 passengers – which includes celebrity guests like Star Trek icon William Shatner. Although the company keeps ticket prices under wraps, it’s evident that space travel is becoming more accessible to wealthy adventurers.
Blue Origin is competing with other major players in the space tourism race, including Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic, both offering high-altitude experiences for a premium.
As space exploration continues to evolve, Monday’s all-female mission represents both a step toward gender equity and a leap forward in the commercialization of space.