All-female crew flew on spaceflight to space, returned safely

New Delhi, Apr 14: Pop star Katy Perry was part of an all-female crew that flew to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, marking a rare and historic moment in space travel. The 11-minute flight, launched by Jeff Bezos’ private space company, took off from West Texas and reached over 100 kilometres above Earth crossing the boundary of space known as the Kármán line.

The mission, named NS-31, was broadcast live and watched by millions around the world. The crew included six well-known women from different fields: singer Katy Perry, journalist and Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, TV host Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. According to the BBC, it was the first spaceflight with only women since 1963, when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova flew solo. The crew shared emotional moments during the flight. BBC quoted Aisha Bowe saying it was a “special moment” when they floated in zero gravity. Perry sang What a Wonderful World while in space, adding a personal and touching touch to the short journey.

After landing, Kerianne Flynn said she was almost speechless. “I had almost no words to describe what happened,” she told the BBC. Amanda Nguyen said she was “so grateful.” Lauren Sánchez said, “Earth looked so quiet,” according to the BBC.

Perry called the experience “the highest high” and described it as “a surrender to the unknown,” as reported by the BBC. She added, “I couldn’t recommend this experience more,” and said she would “100%” record a song about the flight. She also said she felt “really connected to that strong, divine feminine right now.” The rocket, which flies without a pilot, carried the crew safely to space and back. The booster landed separately not far from the launch site. This was the 11th human flight by New Shepard and the 52nd person it has taken to space as part of Blue Origin’s space tourism program.

While many have celebrated the mission as a powerful symbol for women in science and exploration, some critics have raised concerns about the cost and exclusivity of private space travel, especially during times of global challenges. Still, the mission showed how space travel is becoming more connected to popular culture, mixing science, music, media, and activism. Whether it sparks interest in space for future generations or grabs headlines, the flight marked another step in the growing story of space tourism.