A Historic Flight to the Edge of Space
An all-women crew made a successful suborbital flight to the edge of outer space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The group included pop star Katy Perry, morning show host Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos. The mission launched from a private site in Texas and carried the passengers beyond the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space located 100 kilometers above Earth.
The flight gave the passengers a brief period of weightlessness, lasting about three minutes, before the capsule descended and landed safely on the plains of Texas. The capsule separated from its booster and touched down two miles from the launchpad. Upon return, the crew was greeted by Bezos, who opened the hatch and welcomed each member with a warm embrace.
Emotions and Reflections After Landing
Following the landing, Katy Perry was seen kissing the ground while holding a daisy alongside King. She described the experience as a powerful emotional journey and emphasized how it symbolized personal trust and surrender to the unknown. Perry linked the flight to a deeper sense of connection and self-awareness, calling it one of the most meaningful experiences of her life.
Lauren Sánchez also shared her reflections, stating that the Earth felt both quiet and vibrant when viewed from space. She highlighted the feeling of human connection and unity during the trip. For her, the flight held personal significance, not only for its symbolic value but also because she is set to marry Jeff Bezos in the near future. She made it clear that returning safely was a priority, reinforcing the emotional impact of the event.
A Carefully Selected Crew of Women
The flight included six women from different backgrounds: pop culture, science, activism, and media. In addition to Perry, King, and Sánchez, the crew featured Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist; Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights advocate; and Kerianne Flynn, a film producer. All were invited as special guests by Sánchez.
King, who co-hosts a prominent morning show, approached the mission with caution but ultimately embraced the opportunity. The diverse group was united by a shared sense of adventure and the desire to explore beyond conventional limits.
This marked the 11th human flight for Blue Origin’s New Shepard program, which has now carried a total of 52 individuals past the boundary of space. The mission was another step in Blue Origin’s continued push into the commercial space tourism industry.
Public Reaction and Debate
While the mission was praised by many as a celebration of female empowerment and personal achievement, it also drew some criticism. Public figures questioned whether the spaceflight represented meaningful progress or served primarily as a promotional tool for Blue Origin’s business ambitions.
Some voices in the media referred to the event as excessive or out of touch with global priorities. They raised concerns about the growing commercialization of space and whether these high-profile trips offer substantial value beyond personal fulfillment or brand exposure.
Despite the mixed reactions, the mission was undeniably a milestone in Blue Origin’s efforts to normalize private space travel. It showcased not only the technical capabilities of the New Shepard program but also the emotional and symbolic resonance that such journeys can hold for the individuals involved.