Katy Perry is officially an astronaut. The "E.T." icon was successfully launched into space on Monday, April 14, at 9:30 a.m., floated 65 miles above Earth’s surface, and returned 11 minutes later as part of Blue Origin's New Shepard mission NS-31, per US Weekly. The pop sensation, who kissed the ground immediately after leaving the capsule, was joined by fellow female powerhouses Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Lauren Sánchez, and Kerianne Flynn, standing out as the first all-female spaceflight since Valentina Tereshkova's solo mission in 1963.
Perry not only made history as one-sixth of the first all-female crew to travel to space in over 60 years but was the first pop star to sing in space! The standout could have serenaded the capsule with any of her songs, but she chose to sing "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong in sheer admiration of our planet from above. "I have covered that song in the past, and obviously my higher self is always steering the ship because I had no clue that one day I would decide to sing a little bit of that in space, but I think it's not about me. It's not about singing my songs. It's about a collective energy in there. It's about us. It's about making space for future women and taking up space and belonging. It's about this wonderful world we see out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth," Perry told USA Today moments after landing.
The "Dark Horse" hitmaker expressed feelings of "connection" and "love" after safely returning to Earth. "I feel super connected to love. So connected to love. I think this experience has shown me you never know how much love is inside you. Like how much love you have to give. And how loved you are until the day you launch." Speaking of love, Perry's circle, including her husband, Orlando Bloom, daughter, Daisy Dove, mother, and sister, all watched her make history and played a pivotal role in inspiring her to say "yes" to the experience.
The songstress brought a daisy with her to space as a reminder of resilience, power, and the beauty of Earth. "Daisies are common flowers but they grow through any condition. They grow through cement. They grow through cracks. They grow through walls. They are resilient. They are powerful. They are strong. They are everywhere. Flowers, to me, are God's smile, but it's also a beautiful reminder of our Earth, and the flowers here...and the beautiful magic that is everywhere. All around us. Even in a simple daisy," Perry explained.
Perry revealed that seeing the moon from space and floating in zero gravity was an unforgettable experience, only second to being a mother. "This experience is second to being a mom. And that's why it was hard for me to go because that's all my love right there and I have to surrender and trust that the universe is going to take care of me." The day before the launch, the "Roar" star revealed she received a sign that confirmed she was meant to be part of the mission. The capsule was named "Tortoise" and featured a feather symbol painted on the exterior, and, as a child, her mother affectionately called her "Feather" and "Tortoise." Overall, Perry gave the experience a ten out of ten and highly recommended "surrendering to the unknown."
Orlando Bloom held his face in his hands as he watched Katy Perry blast into space. The 40-year-old "Teenage Dream" singer soared into the skies alongside author Lauren Sanchez, broadcasting icon Gayle King, civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn. Their mission represents a historic landmark: the first all-female space crew since 1963 when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova orbited solo.
Launching from Blue Origin's West Texas launchpad at 8:30 a.m. local time, the New Shepard rocket transported the six passengers over 100 km above sea level—crossing the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. The short but impactful journey included approximately four minutes of weightlessness, allowing the crew to float, view the enormity of Earth through the capsule's panoramic windows, and contemplate their extraordinary experience before parachuting back to terra firma.
After the capsule's safe landing, Perry was spotted kissing the ground, a powerful moment of reflection. "Thank you," she responded to Jeff Bezos, who greeted the crew upon their return. The singer, known for hits like "Firework" and "California Gurls," expressed her emotions, saying, "I will never be the same."
Reflecting on the experience, Lauren Sanchez, Bezos's fiancée, described the trip as "complete and utter joy." She was visibly moved, stating, "Earth looked so quiet. It was just quiet. I don’t think you can describe it. It was quiet but also really alive. You look at it and you’re like, we’re all in this together. That’s all I could think about."
Gayle King, who is notoriously scared of flying, admitted she had no regrets about going to space. "It’s oddly quiet when you get up there, and you look down at the planet. It really made me think we really need to do better," she shared. "We are forever bonded. You can’t go through what we’ve gone through and not be."
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity. "When we got in and counted down from ten, and then I started hearing some singing, and we lifted off, you could just feel the energy in the capsule. There was a very special moment between all of us, and it’s just beautiful."
The mission marks a significant milestone in space exploration, as it is the first all-female flight since Tereshkova's historic journey. As Perry stated, "This is all about making space for future women; it’s about showing what we can achieve together." Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos in 2000, aims to make space travel more accessible, and this mission exemplifies their commitment to expanding humanity's presence in space.
In conclusion, Perry and her fellow crew members have not only made history but have also inspired countless individuals to dream big, reach for the stars, and believe in the power of resilience and community. This journey is a testament to the possibilities that await when we dare to push boundaries and explore the unknown.
