Katy Perry took off to space on April 15 from Texas aboard Blue Origin 's New Shepard NS-31, along with five other women — Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King , Kerianne Flynn , Amanda Nguyen , and Aisha Bowe . The flight began at 7:00 PM IST, with live coverage that started at 5:30 PM IST on Blue Origin's website, YouTube, X (formerly Twitter), and Paramount+.
In a stunning convergence of celebrity, science, and space exploration, Blue Origin's NS-31 mission has already become one of the most iconic spaceflights of the decade. The all-female crew is not just symbolic but unprecedented, representing a historic milestone in commercial space travel and women’s representation in space.
Stars among the stars
Lifting off from Blue Origin's West Texas facility, NS-31 carried its crew on the reusable New Shepard spacecraft. The suborbital experience crossed the Kármán line—defined as the edge of space—rising more than 100 kilometers above sea level. The crew experienced a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth during the roughly 11-minute flight.
Pop sensation Katy Perry, with her powerful voice and quirky sense of style, brought a cultural twist to the cause. Calling the flight a "dream come true," Perry had earlier expressed a deep personal interest in space exploration and science fiction. Donning a futuristic silver-blue jumpsuit, she said the experience was about gaining perspective: “Seeing our planet from that altitude really puts everything into focus,” she said in a pre-flight release. (image courtesy: Instagram)
She was joined by Lauren Sánchez, a veteran helicopter pilot and founder of the aerial production firm Black Ops Aviation. Sánchez, who is engaged to Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos , had long championed the idea of an all-female space mission—NS-31 made that vision a reality.
Veteran television journalist Gayle King also embarked on the mission. The oldest member of the team at age 70, King proved that age is no obstacle to reaching for the stars. With her long-standing career at CBS, she called this “the most extraordinary story of her life.”
A new era of space tourism
NS-31 marks Blue Origin’s seventh manned flight and the first of 2025. Though short, the flight represents a giant leap in the democratization of space travel. The rest of the passengers included Amanda Nguyen, civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize nominee; Aisha Bowe, a NASA-trained engineer and aerospace entrepreneur; and Kerianne Flynn, a philanthropist and longtime Blue Origin supporter.
Together, the six women formed the most diverse civilian crew Blue Origin has ever launched—spanning entertainment, STEM, journalism, and activism.
While space travel remains a luxury, having public figures from varied backgrounds on board is helping shift the global conversation. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp stated, “This flight is about pushing boundaries—not just in technology, but in who gets to be part of the journey.” (image courtesy: Blue Origin)
Social media buzz and global excitement
Viewers across the world tuned in to witness history. The event quickly took over social media, with hashtags like #KatyInSpace, #BlueOriginLaunch, and #AllWomenCrew trending globally. Millions watched live as the capsule’s wraparound windows revealed Earth in all its glory, leaving both the crew and audiences in awe.
Why this flight matters
NS-31 wasn’t just about fame—it was about breaking barriers. It challenged long-held ideas about who belongs in space and highlighted the strength of representation. From a global pop icon to a civil rights leader, the crew showed that space is now open to voices and dreams once thought too distant.
For young girls everywhere, watching six accomplished women reach the stars might just redefine what’s possible.
Looking ahead
As Katy Perry said, “Maybe we’ll never be royals—but today, we’re astronauts." With Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic shaping the future of commercial spaceflight, this launch offers a glimpse of what lies ahead. Diverse missions are on the rise, and as technology evolves, access to space could soon extend beyond the elite.
In a stunning convergence of celebrity, science, and space exploration, Blue Origin's NS-31 mission has already become one of the most iconic spaceflights of the decade. The all-female crew is not just symbolic but unprecedented, representing a historic milestone in commercial space travel and women’s representation in space.
Stars among the stars
Lifting off from Blue Origin's West Texas facility, NS-31 carried its crew on the reusable New Shepard spacecraft. The suborbital experience crossed the Kármán line—defined as the edge of space—rising more than 100 kilometers above sea level. The crew experienced a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth during the roughly 11-minute flight.
Pop sensation Katy Perry, with her powerful voice and quirky sense of style, brought a cultural twist to the cause. Calling the flight a "dream come true," Perry had earlier expressed a deep personal interest in space exploration and science fiction. Donning a futuristic silver-blue jumpsuit, she said the experience was about gaining perspective: “Seeing our planet from that altitude really puts everything into focus,” she said in a pre-flight release. (image courtesy: Instagram)
She was joined by Lauren Sánchez, a veteran helicopter pilot and founder of the aerial production firm Black Ops Aviation. Sánchez, who is engaged to Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos , had long championed the idea of an all-female space mission—NS-31 made that vision a reality.
Veteran television journalist Gayle King also embarked on the mission. The oldest member of the team at age 70, King proved that age is no obstacle to reaching for the stars. With her long-standing career at CBS, she called this “the most extraordinary story of her life.”
A new era of space tourism
NS-31 marks Blue Origin’s seventh manned flight and the first of 2025. Though short, the flight represents a giant leap in the democratization of space travel. The rest of the passengers included Amanda Nguyen, civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize nominee; Aisha Bowe, a NASA-trained engineer and aerospace entrepreneur; and Kerianne Flynn, a philanthropist and longtime Blue Origin supporter.
Together, the six women formed the most diverse civilian crew Blue Origin has ever launched—spanning entertainment, STEM, journalism, and activism.
While space travel remains a luxury, having public figures from varied backgrounds on board is helping shift the global conversation. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp stated, “This flight is about pushing boundaries—not just in technology, but in who gets to be part of the journey.” (image courtesy: Blue Origin)
Social media buzz and global excitement
Viewers across the world tuned in to witness history. The event quickly took over social media, with hashtags like #KatyInSpace, #BlueOriginLaunch, and #AllWomenCrew trending globally. Millions watched live as the capsule’s wraparound windows revealed Earth in all its glory, leaving both the crew and audiences in awe.
Why this flight matters
NS-31 wasn’t just about fame—it was about breaking barriers. It challenged long-held ideas about who belongs in space and highlighted the strength of representation. From a global pop icon to a civil rights leader, the crew showed that space is now open to voices and dreams once thought too distant.
For young girls everywhere, watching six accomplished women reach the stars might just redefine what’s possible.
Looking ahead
As Katy Perry said, “Maybe we’ll never be royals—but today, we’re astronauts." With Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic shaping the future of commercial spaceflight, this launch offers a glimpse of what lies ahead. Diverse missions are on the rise, and as technology evolves, access to space could soon extend beyond the elite.
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