In a moment that merged pop culture with interstellar ambition, Katy Perry rocketed into history on April 14, 2025, aboard Blue Origin’s NS-31 suborbital mission. But she wasn’t alone. The pop superstar was joined by five other trailblazing women—each with a distinct voice in science, media, activism, and the arts—for what became the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963.
This wasn’t just a celebrity space stunt. It was a statement. A symbol. A bold leap forward in making spaceflight more inclusive, more human, and undeniably more inspiring.
So, who else was on board with Katy Perry? What did they experience during their brief yet groundbreaking journey into space? And why is this mission being hailed as a defining moment in the evolution of private space travel?
Let’s dive into all the key details from launch to landing.
Blue Origin’s NS-31 Mission Overview
Date, Duration, and Location
The mission launched from Blue Origin’s private Launch Site One in Van Horn, West Texas, on the morning of April 14, 2025. This suborbital journey lasted approximately 11 minutes—a short but deeply symbolic ride that allowed the passengers to briefly leave Earth’s atmosphere and experience the edge of space.
During that time, the spacecraft soared past the Kármán line (62 miles or 100 km above Earth), which is internationally recognized as the boundary between Earth and outer space.
Rocket Details – New Shepard Capsule
The crew flew aboard New Shepard NS-31, a reusable rocket and capsule designed by Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. New Shepard is named after Alan Shepard, the first American to travel to space, and it’s been used for multiple successful missions to date.
Designed specifically for tourism and scientific experiments, the rocket is fully autonomous, meaning there’s no pilot—just passengers. The launch and landing are automated and carefully controlled from ground-based teams.
What the Crew Experienced in Space
Once the rocket reached its peak altitude, passengers experienced about four minutes of weightlessness, during which they could float freely inside the capsule, observe Earth from a vast distance, and reflect on the awe-inspiring scale of the universe.
For Katy Perry and her fellow crew members, those minutes were described as “emotional,” “humbling,” and “beautiful beyond words.”
Meet the All-Female Blue Origin Crew
Katy Perry – The Face of the Mission
Known for her powerhouse vocals and flamboyant performances, Katy Perry took on a new role: space ambassador. Throughout the mission, she brought heart, humor, and a message of hope. At one point during the weightless phase, she reportedly sang a touching rendition of “What a Wonderful World”—a spontaneous tribute to the Earth as viewed from space.
After landing, she kneeled to kiss the ground and held up a daisy flower—a symbolic gesture to her daughter, Daisy Dove Bloom.
Gayle King – Broadcasting Legend in Orbit
Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings and a longtime voice of calm in American media, added gravitas to the mission. Known for her journalistic integrity, she later reflected on the “profound silence and peace of space”, encouraging people to bring more empathy into everyday life.
Her participation was a powerful reminder that journalists are also chroniclers of history—and in this case, living it firsthand.
Lauren Sánchez – Pilot and Space Leader
A licensed pilot and the fiancée of Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sánchez was no stranger to aviation. But this flight marked a personal milestone in her journey as a spaceflight advocate. Having helped lead Bezos’ Bezos Earth Fund, she has been at the forefront of efforts to bring more women and underrepresented voices into the space industry.
Her leadership and flying experience were invaluable on this symbolic mission.
Aisha Bowe – Aerospace Engineer and STEM Trailblazer
Former NASA aerospace engineer and founder of STEMBoard, Aisha Bowe brought unmatched technical credibility to the crew. As a woman of color in STEM, her journey to space stands as an inspiration to girls worldwide dreaming of careers in science and engineering.
She described the mission as “a dream fulfilled and a mission bigger than us.”
Amanda Nguyen – Civil Rights Icon
A Nobel Peace Prize nominee and survivor rights advocate, Amanda Nguyen used her time in space to amplify her mission on Earth: justice, equality, and resilience. Her presence was symbolic of the idea that activism can reach the stars—and that space, like justice, should be accessible to all.
Kerianne Flynn – Film Producer and Advocate
As a storyteller and space enthusiast, Kerianne Flynn brought a unique artistic perspective to the flight. She has been vocal about the need for creativity in how we communicate scientific achievement. Flynn captured moments throughout the mission that are expected to be part of a future documentary exploring humanity’s connection to the cosmos.
