In a historic journey that blended awe, celebration, and symbolism, an all-female crew including singer Katy Perry and news anchor Gayle King completed a successful spaceflight with Blue Origin on Monday. The suborbital mission, launched from a private site in Texas, took the six women to the edge of space and back in just over 10 minutes.
A Moment of History Above Earth
This marked the 11th human mission for Jeff Bezos’s space company, Blue Origin. Dubbed NS-25, the flight included six notable women from various walks of life:
- Lauren Sánchez, journalist and fiancée of Jeff Bezos
- Katy Perry, global pop star
- Gayle King, co-host of CBS Mornings
- Aisha Bowe, former NASA engineer
- Amanda Nguyen, civil rights activist
- Kerianne Flynn, film producer
They traveled aboard the New Shepard rocket, which flew past the Kármán line—the boundary of space recognized at 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level.
A Journey at Mach 3
The rocket launched at high speed, reaching Mach 3, which is about 2,300 miles per hour. Within minutes, the capsule separated from the booster and crossed the threshold of space. Inside the cabin, the passengers unbuckled and floated, laughing and expressing their joy. “Oh my goddess,” one exclaimed. Another shouted, “I love you, Jeff Bezos.”
For about three minutes, they experienced weightlessness. Then, the capsule began its descent, slowing with parachutes before landing softly in the desert, just two miles from the launch site. Jeff Bezos himself opened the hatch, offering hugs and kisses to the returning crew. Perry knelt to kiss the Earth, while King smiled and waved to the crowd.
Reflections from Space
After landing, Lauren Sánchez described the experience as emotional and deeply moving. “The Earth was so quiet but really alive. I just want to hug everybody,” she said. Fighting tears, she added, “I had to come back. I’m getting married.”
Katy Perry shared a spiritual take on her journey. “It’s about trust and letting go,” she explained. “I’m feeling the divine feminine right now.” Perry, who celebrated her 40th birthday last year, prepared for the trip by listening to Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and exploring topics like string theory. “We’re all made of stardust,” she told the Associated Press. “We come from the stars.”
Gayle King admitted she was nervous before the launch. “I still get uncomfortable when people call me an astronaut,” she said. “But they said if I go to space, I am one.”
Celebration and Criticism
This flight made headlines for its all-female roster, which Blue Origin highlighted as a major moment for representation in space travel. The New Shepard program has now flown 52 people, with a mix of celebrities, researchers, and private citizens.
Many praised the mission as a symbolic achievement, showing women leading the way in an industry long dominated by men. Social media was flooded with congratulations and clips of the launch.
Yet, not everyone was impressed. Actress Olivia Munn criticized the mission during a segment on NBC, calling it “a bit gluttonous.”
“There are so many more important things going on in the world. What are you going to do up there?” she asked, sparking online debate.
Others echoed those concerns, accusing the flight of being more of a publicity stunt than a meaningful scientific step. Blue Origin defended the mission as part of its long-term goal to make space accessible and to inspire future generations.
Marketing or Milestone?
Critics argue that missions like these help market Bezos’s broader vision of commercial space tourism. But for those aboard, the journey was far more personal.
Amanda Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, said the flight gave her a deeper appreciation for Earth. “It changed how I see everything,” she said.
Kerianne Flynn called it a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “I never thought I’d get to see the world from that height,” she shared.
What’s Next for Blue Origin
Blue Origin plans more flights in the coming months, with continued focus on space tourism and research payloads. The company faces competition from Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic.
While critics will likely continue to question the purpose and value of these short suborbital flights, Blue Origin believes every mission builds public interest and pushes boundaries.