In a monumental leap for women in space exploration, global pop icon Katy Perry is set to journey to the edge of space as part of Blue Origin’s first all-female crewed mission, NS-31. The historic flight, scheduled for launch Monday morning from Blue Origin’s West Texas site, will see six inspirational women travel beyond the Karman line — the internationally recognised boundary of space.
Joining Perry on the 11-minute suborbital mission are Lauren Sánchez, journalist Gayle King, civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and former NASA rocket scientist and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe. The mission is part of Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard program, named after the first American in space, Alan Shepard.
This marks the first time in over 60 years that a space mission will fly without a single male on board, echoing the legacy of Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova — the first woman in space in 1963.
Led by Lauren Sánchez — media personality and fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos — the flight is more than a technological feat. Sánchez told Elle magazine that each woman was selected for her exceptional capacity to inspire. “This isn’t just about space travel,” she said, “it’s about showing the next generation what’s possible.”
Perry, one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, described the invitation as a dream come true. “I’ve wanted to go to space for nearly 20 years. When Blue Origin first mentioned commercial travel, I said, ‘Sign me up!’” she recalled.
The other crew members shared similar emotions. Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee, called the opportunity “a milestone for advocacy and equality.” Bowe, a trailblazing rocket scientist, called it “a full-circle moment.” Producer Flynn expressed deep gratitude, calling it “the role of a lifetime.”
However, not all approached the mission without hesitation. “When Lauren and Jeff called, my first instinct was to say no,” said CBS Mornings host Gayle King, who confessed she still feels nervous but deeply moved by the opportunity.
The New Shepard rocket will carry the capsule to a maximum altitude of approximately 100 kilometers (62 miles), where passengers will experience weightlessness for nearly four minutes. During this time, they’ll float in the capsule and view Earth through large observation windows before descending gently back to Earth with the help of parachutes.
While the six women will cross into space, they will not be officially classified as astronauts under current FAA, NASA, or military definitions, which require rigorous training and specific mission parameters.
This mission underscores Blue Origin’s growing effort to make space accessible and inspirational. Since its first crewed launch in 2021 with Bezos aboard, New Shepard has flown 52 people to space — including Star Trek legend William Shatner, who famously reflected on the sobering experience of seeing Earth from above.
“I saw a cold, dark, black emptiness,” Shatner recalled. “It was among the strongest feelings of grief I have ever encountered.”
With the NS-31 mission, Blue Origin not only pushes the frontier of space tourism but also breaks new ground in representation, empowerment, and global inspiration.
As the world watches six powerful women ascend to the stars, their voyage serves as a reminder that the future of space is not only high-tech — it’s also highly inclusive.
