Have you ever imagined Katy Perry floating in space in her astronaut suit? Well yes, she went from singing “Roar” on stage to literally roaring among the stars. And no, it’s not a new music video. Katy actually went into space on a mission that is making history.
Turns out, the “Dark Horse” and “Last Friday Night” singer joined Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, Jeff Bezos’ (yes, Amazon’s) space company. But here comes the epic: this wasn’t just any flight, it was the first all-female manned spaceflight. Crazy, isn’t it?
Why did Katy Perry go into space?
Katy has been dreaming of going into space for years. She literally said it in an interview, “I’ve been wanting to go into space for almost 20 years.” She has always been fascinated by astrophysics, astronomy, astrology… anything to do with the universe. And now that she could, she did it in a big way and with a clear message: she wants to inspire new generations, especially girls, to look up at the stars and think: “I can be there one day too”.
During her preparation, Katy repeated as a mantra: “You’re brave, you’re bold, you’re doing this for the next generation.” And it wasn’t just lip service, she was serious about training in Ontario, California, to be ready for the space experience. And it wasn’t just lip service, she was serious about training in Ontario, California, to be ready for the space experience. Who knew that in addition to being a pop star, she would also be a space pioneer?
Who did she go with?
The NS-31 crew was a true dream team. Six women from different fields, all with impressive backgrounds. Here’s the list:
- Lauren Sanchez: journalist, entrepreneur and fiancée of Jeff Bezos. She led the mission.
- Gayle King: renowned journalist, co-host of CBS Mornings.
- Aisha Bowe: former NASA rocket scientist.
- Amanda Nguyen: activist and bioastronautics expert.
- Kerianne Flynn: independent film producer.
And of course, Katy Perry, the first singer in history to get on a spacecraft and leave the planet.
✨ Weightless and limitless. pic.twitter.com/GQgHd0aw7i
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025
How long was the trip and where did they go?
Well, this was not like a road trip to Mars. The flight lasted just 11 minutes, but what minutes! They were more than enough to cross the Kármán line (which is about 100 kilometers high), the recognized boundary of space. During that short but intense ride, the crew members experienced several minutes of weightlessness. They floated, looked at the Earth from above, lived what many astronauts describe as one of the most transcendental experiences in existence.
And the best part: the rocket had no pilot. Everything was automated, which sounds a bit “Black Mirror”, but is actually part of how space tourism is evolving.
Where to watch the launch?
The liftoff was streamed live on Blue Origin’s website and social media. It was all planned for 9:30 a.m. (Eastern time), although you know with space stuff, sometimes they get delayed by weather or technical issues.
How much does this cost?
Here comes the part where everyone’s jaw drops. Going into space with Blue Origin can cost millions. For example, Coby Cotton, one of the Dude Perfect guys, paid about $1.25 million for his flight. And while Blue Origin doesn’t always publish its official rates, they have been known to sometimes offer free flights to certain people if they align with mission objectives. In other words, it’s not all about money, it’s also about social impact.
In the case of Katy and the rest of the girls, beyond the cost of the flight, the important thing is the symbolism and the message they sent: space is no longer just for men in orange suits and decades of training at NASA. Today, women – of different professions, ages and dreams – can also look up and think “I can do it too”.
Which celebrities have gone into space?
Katy is not the first celebrity to travel with Blue Origin. Jeff Bezos himself went to space in 2021 along with his brother, aviator Wally Funk and an 18-year-old boy. Then it was the turn of William Shatner (yes, Star Trek’s very own Captain Kirk), who became the longest person to leave the planet. And so did former NFL player and broadcaster Michael Strahan.
But this mission is special because it is the first since 1963 (since Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space) to be all-female. That’s how relevant it is.
And what do people say about this?
On social networks, a video about Katy’s mission got more than 3 million “likes”, although many comments expressed nerves or criticisms about the cost of the trip. Even actress Olivia Munn thought it was an unnecessary luxury, saying that “there are many people who can’t even buy eggs”.
But beyond the divided opinions, one thing is clear: the flight of Katy Perry and her companions opens up a deeper conversation about what space exploration means today and who has access to it. Should it be something only for millionaires? Or should it become a real inspiration for new generations, especially women?
