Today, on April 14, 2025, Katy Perry will make history as she joins an all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The highly anticipated flight, known as NS-31, will mark a significant milestone for space tourism and gender representation in space exploration. This mission, which will last 11 minutes, will provide the crew with a few minutes of weightlessness and the opportunity to view Earth from above the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space.
Meet the Crew Making History
Leading the mission will be Lauren Sánchez, a licensed pilot, Emmy-winning journalist, and vice-chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. Sánchez has carefully selected the all-women crew to highlight trailblazing figures across a variety of fields:
- Katy Perry: Pop superstar and philanthropist, known for her work with the Firework Foundation.
- Gayle King: Veteran CBS news anchor and editor-at-large at Oprah Daily.
- Amanda Nguyen: Civil rights activist, bioastronautics researcher, and 2022 TIME Woman of the Year.
- Aisha Bowe: Aerospace engineer, former NASA rocket scientist, and entrepreneur.
- Kerianne Flynn: Film producer and longtime friend of Sánchez.
This mission will be the first women-only spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo journey in 1963. Unlike Tereshkova’s lone mission, however, this flight will bring a full crew of accomplished women together to represent a new frontier in space travel.
Katy Perry’s Space Aspirations
Earlier in the week, Perry spoke to the Associated Press about her upcoming mission, expressing her desire to “go boldly where other women have rarely gone before.” She reflected on the experience, saying, “I am talking to myself every day and going, ‘You’re brave, you’re bold, you are doing this for the next generation to inspire so many different people but especially young girls to go, ‘I’ll go to space in the future.’ No limitations.”
She also mentioned her excitement about the technical aspects of the mission: “I’m really excited about the engineering of it all. I’m excited to learn more about STEM and just the math about what it takes to accomplish this type of thing.”
What is the Purpose of the Trip?
Though the flight is brief, it carries a significant purpose:
- Inspiration: By showcasing a diverse group of women in space, the mission aims to inspire girls and underrepresented communities to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
- Science: The flight will include biomedical research to better understand the effects of space travel on women of color, an often underrepresented group in space science.
- Representation: The mission emphasizes inclusivity, highlighting the growing role of women in space exploration and challenging industry norms.
Sánchez has been vocal about using this mission to elevate women who are making a difference across multiple fields, and the flight is expected to resonate far beyond the stars.
Space Suits With Style
As if the mission weren’t already exciting enough, the crew will don custom-designed flight suits by the luxury fashion label Monse. Made from flame-resistant neoprene, these stylish suits will blend safety with flair, proving that fashion and function can coexist even at 3,500 mph.
Why It Matters for Space Tourism
The NS-31 mission represents more than just a thrilling space adventure for a few lucky individuals. It is a key moment in the expansion of commercial space travel. Space tourism has often been seen as a boy’s club of billionaires and tech moguls, but this mission shows that the final frontier is becoming more accessible and inclusive.
By putting a diverse and accomplished crew in space, Blue Origin is helping redefine the space tourism industry and make it more representative of society as a whole. This mission shows that space is for everyone, regardless of gender or background.
Final Thoughts
Today’s launch of Katy Perry and her all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket marks a groundbreaking moment in space exploration. As the mission takes off, it will not only be a leap for space tourism but also a giant step for gender equality in space.
As the crew blasts off into the stars, they will be sending a powerful message—that space is not just for a select few, but for anyone with the passion and drive to reach for it. And if that’s not inspiring, we don’t know what is.
