Katy Perry and All-Female Crew Complete Historic Blue Origin Spaceflight

Pop star Katy Perry and five other trailblazing women made history Monday morning as they soared more than 60 miles above Earth aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, marking the company’s first all-female crewed spaceflight.

The 11-minute journey aboard flight NS-31 crossed the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 62 miles above sea level—before safely returning to Earth. The six women emerged from the capsule to cheers, emotion, and an undeniable sense of accomplishment.

Perry, visibly moved, exited the spacecraft, raised her hand to the sky, and kissed the ground. She revealed she had brought a daisy with her into space, a heartfelt tribute to her 4-year-old daughter, Daisy.

“I feel super-connected to love,” Perry said after landing. “I think this experience has shown me how much love is inside of me.”

Joining Perry on the mission were:

• Lauren Sanchez, Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos’ fiancée, a journalist and helicopter pilot;

• Gayle King, veteran journalist and TV personality;

• Amanda Nguyen, civil rights activist and bioastronautics researcher;

• Aisha Bowe, former NASA rocket scientist; and

• Kerianne Flynn, a film producer.

A handout photo released by Blue Origin showed the six women in matching space suits, beaming as they posed ahead of their flight.

The team lifted off around 8:30 a.m. CDT from Launch Site One in West Texas. Friends, family, and fans—including Oprah Winfrey, who wept at the capsule’s return—gathered to witness the historic launch.

While in space, Perry reportedly sang “What a Wonderful World,” a moment fellow astronaut Gayle King described as deeply moving.

For King, the experience was especially personal. Known for her fear of flying, she described stepping into space as a major leap outside her comfort zone. Upon exiting the capsule, she kissed the ground and offered thanks to Jesus—and Bezos.

“I am glad I did it. I have no regrets,” King said. “I may now get my ears pierced.” She humorously added, “Courage is doing something that scares you, but you do it anyway.”

During a post-flight press conference, the crew reflected on the emotional and symbolic significance of the mission.

Sanchez described the view from space as “profound,” sharing that seeing Earth contrasted against the blackness of space—and catching a glimpse of the moon—was a moment she would never forget.

King addressed criticism that referred to the flight as a mere “ride,” stating firmly, “Journey is a better descriptor.” She acknowledged the skeptics but emphasized the mission’s importance.

“We’ve had some cranky Yankees and haters,” King said. “But most people are cheering us on and realize what this mission means to young women, young girls—and boys, too.”

Perry echoed that sentiment, calling the experience a “supernatural journey.”

Blue Origin noted that this was the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963. For nearly two decades after, NASA’s astronaut program was entirely male.

On the eve of the launch, Perry shared her excitement on social media: “I’ve dreamt of going to space for 15 years and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality.”

With Monday’s successful mission, that dream—and a piece of history—has now become reality not only for her, but for women and dreamers everywhere.