Katy Perry and Women Blast Off to Space!

A groundbreaking all-female crew is poised to make history Monday as they launch into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The mission, designated NS-31, will carry pop superstar Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, entrepreneur and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and, notably, Lauren Sánchez, fiancé of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, who will lead the flight.

The 11-minute suborbital journey, departing from Blue Origin’s Texas launch site at 8:30 am local time, marks the first crewed spaceflight in over six decades without a male presence, a significant milestone since Russian engineer Valentina Tereshkova’s solo voyage in 1963. The crew will ascend to an altitude exceeding 100km (62 miles), crossing the internationally recognized Karman line defining the boundary of space.

Passengers will experience approximately four minutes of weightlessness, observing Earth and the cosmos through the capsule’s panoramic windows before returning via parachute descent. While the flight represents a personal dream fulfilled for many – Perry expressed a two-decade-long desire to travel to space, and Bowe’s NASA background adds a unique dimension – the decision wasn’t without hesitation. King initially declined the invitation, admitting to ongoing trepidation.

It’s important to note that despite reaching space, these women won’t be officially designated “astronauts” by federal agencies like the FAA or NASA, which maintain stricter criteria for that classification. This distinction highlights the evolving landscape of commercial space travel.

Blue Origin has already launched 52 individuals into space, including Bezos himself on the inaugural New Shepard flight in 2021 and actor William Shatner, who at 90 became the oldest person to reach space. Shatner’s subsequent reflections, describing a profound and unsettling experience of confronting the vastness and emptiness of space, offer a poignant reminder of the emotional impact of such journeys.

This mission, while a commercial venture, feels particularly resonant. Beyond the technological achievement, it’s a powerful statement about representation and opportunity. Seeing an all-female crew embark on this adventure is inspiring, and hopefully, it will encourage a new generation of women and girls to pursue careers in STEM fields. The focus on individuals chosen for their inspirational qualities suggests Blue Origin is attempting to position these “Joyrides” as more than just tourism – they’re aiming to create a narrative of empowerment and progress. While the cost of access remains a barrier, the symbolism of this flight is undeniable.