In brief
Pop sensation Katy Perry is gearing up to make history as she embarks on an all-women crew mission aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepherd rocket. Scheduled to launch this spring, the flight will feature a powerhouse lineup, including Lauren Sanchez, partner to Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos, CBS host Gayle King, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. This marks the first all-female space flight since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo mission in 1963.
Blue Origin hasn’t locked in the exact launch date, but it's anticipated to occur before Perry's "Lifetimes Tour," which spans from April 23 to November 11. "As a child, I never thought I’d be part of an all-female crew in space," Perry remarked, emphasizing her excitement and ambition. The NS-31 mission will mark the 11th human flight for the New Shepherd rocket, bringing the total number of space travelers under this program to 52. The adventure lasts approximately 11 minutes, taking participants past the Karman line, recognized internationally as the boundary of space. Lauren Sanchez has been instrumental in getting this mission off the ground, expressing pride in leading a voyage that aims to shift perspectives of Earth and inspire future generations. She had first shared her vision for an all-women crew during a 2023 interview with Vogue, affirming their role in paving the way for women in space exploration.This marks another instance of celebrities joining the ranks of space tourists, following notable flights by Bezos, Michael Strahan, and William Shatner. Meanwhile, Elon Musk, founder of SpaceX, has yet to experience a space flight himself.As excitement builds for this milestone mission, the world waits anxiously for a confirmed launch date. Space tourism is becoming an increasingly popular venture, with significant corporate investment enhancing the future of space exploration.
