By Rejoice Henrietta Otoo Arthur
In a historic moment for space travel, six women, including global pop star Katy Perry, safely returned to Earth after a successful 11-minute mission to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.
The all-female crew featured a mix of public figures and professionals from various fields: Katy Perry, journalist and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, TV personality Gayle King, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. This marked the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when a solo Soviet mission broke similar ground.
The rocket launched from Blue Origin’s facility in West Texas and passed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space, reaching speeds of over 2,300 mph. The New Shepard capsule, which operates without a pilot, gave the crew a brief but thrilling experience of weightlessness before beginning its descent.
Cheers erupted on the ground as the rocket took off, and the excitement continued when the capsule landed safely back in Texas. Katy Perry, filled with emotion, was heard singing during the flight and kissed the ground upon exit. Lauren Sánchez was the first to step out, welcomed by Jeff Bezos himself, who opened the capsule door.
Spectators included Kris Jenner and Khloé Kardashian, who shared how moved they were by the experience. A group of female astronauts, including Emily Calandrelli and Sian Procter, also showed their support at the launch site.
Blue Origin has not disclosed the cost of the flight or whether the women were paid to be part of the mission. However, past trips with the company have required deposits of $150,000, with one seat auctioned in 2021 for $28 million.
This landmark journey not only highlighted the capabilities of commercial spaceflight but also celebrated women’s contributions to science, media, and social progress, making it a powerful moment in both space and gender history.
