Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez Among All-Female Crew Returning Safely from Blue Origin Space Flight

Pop star Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Jeff Bezos, safely returned to Earth after a brief suborbital flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.

The all-female crew of six reached more than 100 km above Earth, crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognised boundary of space. The flight lasted approximately 11 minutes and offered a few moments of weightlessness.

The mission launched from Blue Origin’s West Texas site at 8:30 a.m. local time and concluded with a parachute-assisted landing. The rocket booster also returned to the launch pad.

Joining Perry, King, and Sánchez were former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

After landing, Sánchez became emotional, saying, “I looked out of the window and we got to see the moon. Earth looked so quiet.”

Perry kissed the ground and lifted a daisy to the sky in honour of her daughter, Daisy. King also knelt to kiss the ground, expressing gratitude for the experience.

Flynn, the last to exit the capsule, pointed skyward and shouted, “I went to space.”

The spacecraft was fully autonomous, requiring no manual operation by the crew.

This marked the first all-female spaceflight since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission over 60 years ago.

The event drew celebrity spectators, including Khloé Kardashian and Oprah Winfrey. Kardashian described the launch as emotional, while Winfrey praised King for overcoming her fear of flying.

Blue Origin, founded by Bezos in 2000, has not disclosed full ticket prices, but a USD 150,000 deposit is required to reserve a seat.

The company is also developing reusable rockets and lunar landing systems. The New Shepard rocket is designed for vertical landings to reduce costs.

Passengers undergo two days of training focused on physical fitness, emergency protocols, and zero-gravity procedures.

Critics argue that space tourism is exclusive and environmentally harmful. Actress Olivia Munn questioned the optics of the mission, citing economic inequality.

Blue Origin claims its rocket emits only water vapour, but experts warn that water vapour in the upper atmosphere can harm the ozone layer and affect climate.

Dr Tanya Harrison of the Outer Space Institute noted mixed reactions online, with some calling the flight a marketing stunt and others celebrating its social impact.

Gayle King defended the mission, saying it inspired young women and girls. Sánchez added that critics should witness the dedication of Blue Origin’s workforce.

The rise of private spaceflight continues to spark debate over its purpose, accessibility, and environmental impact.

Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, and Gayle King were among six women on Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight
The 11-minute flight crossed the Kármán line and returned safely to Texas
The mission was fully autonomous and required no manual operation

Source: BBC