When Katy Perry sang “Baby, you're a firework” probably never imagined that one day she would be the one to take to the skies, and not on a firework, but on a real rocket. Yet that's exactly what will happen this spring, when the pop star climbs aboard the New shepard di Blue Origin as part of the first all-female crew since 1963.
An event that is not just a publicity stunt, but a symbolic passing of the baton sixty years after the flight of the legendary Valentina Tereshkova. Six women from different backgrounds (music, science, journalism and business) come together to demonstrate that space is no longer a male exclusive. Katy Perry, singer of hits like “Hot and Cold” and “Bon Apetit”, will bring among the stars not only her charisma, but also a powerful message for the younger generations.
Katy Perry, a mission that resonates beyond the atmosphere
On the day of the second private moon landing in history, that of Blue Ghost, Blue Origin's announcement bounced around the world like one of its hits: Katy Perry will be part of the NS-31 mission, the first all-female crew in over 60 years.
And of course, the symbolic power of this mission does not go unnoticed. It is not just another space tourist flight, but a clear message to young women around the world: space is yours too. And who better than Katy Perry, with her ability to connect with millions of fans, could amplify this message?
“Katy is honored to be part of Blue Origin’s first all-female crew and hopes her journey encourages her daughter and others to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively,” Blue Origin said in a statement.
A stellar crew
The mission will be led by Lauren Sanchez, partner of the founder of Blue Origin Jeff Bezos, who has recruited a team of extraordinary women to accompany her on this space adventure.
In addition to Katy Perry, the crew includes Aisha Bowe, CEO of STEMBoard and former NASA rocket scientist, film producer Kerianne Flynn, the co-host of CBS Mornings Gayle King and the bioastronautics scientist Amanda Nguyen. A group that perfectly represents the intersection of science, art, communication and entrepreneurship.
A short but transformative experience
The flight aboard the New Shepard rocket will not carry the crew into Earth orbit, but will launch them on a suborbital trajectory that will cross the Kármán line at an altitude of 100 km, universally recognized as the edge of space.
The mission will last approximately 11 minutes, during which the six women will experience approximately 4 minutes of weightlessness and will be able to admire the Earth from space through the large windows of the New Shepard capsule.
There are no pilots aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rockets, which fly autonomously. A choice that further democratizes access to space, eliminating the need for intensive training typical of professional astronauts.
Not Just Katy Perry: Space and Celebrity, a Winning Combination
Blue Origin is no stranger to launching celebrities into space. Previous missions have taken the Star Trek actor to the stars William Shatner and former NFL player Michael Strahan.
Katy Perry's presence, however, adds a new dimension to space tourism, directly linking this technological frontier with mainstream pop culture. For millions of young fans, seeing their favorite artist floating in space could be just the inspiration they need to get interested in science and technology.
Secondo Lauren Sanchez, the mission has the very objective of “inspiring the next generation of explorers”.
“Katy Perry is honored to lead a team of female explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives on Earth, empower them to share their stories and create a lasting impact that will inspire future generations,” said Blue Origin.
So, Electric, Perry: send us a photo!
