- News
- entertainment
- Blue Origin launch Live Update: Katy Perry lands on earth along with others, kisses the ground
Blue Origin launch Live Update: Katy Perry lands on earth along with others, kisses the ground
Leading the crew is Lauren Sánchez, an Emmy-winning journalist, licensed pilot, and vice-chair of the Bezos Earth Fund. Joining her are global pop icon Katy Perry, CBS anchor Gayle King, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn. The mission aims to celebrate women's contributions to science, media, and social change, while encouraging young girls to dream beyond Earth's boundaries.
The brief yet significant flight will reach the edge of space—about 62 miles above Earth—offering the crew a few minutes of weightlessness before a safe parachute-assisted landing. Beyond its scientific and symbolic significance, the mission blends space with culture. The all-female crew will wear custom-designed suits by Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim of Oscar de la Renta and Monse, created in collaboration with Creative Character Engineering—showcasing a fusion of technology, empowerment, and design.
This launch follows Blue Origin's past high-profile missions, including flights carrying Jeff Bezos, William Shatner, and Wally Funk, and further cements the company’s role in shaping the future of space tourism. With the NS-31 mission, Blue Origin is not only expanding access to space but also turning it into a platform for powerful representation and inspiration. The event will be streamed live, attracting a global audience eager to witness this groundbreaking moment in space history.
Katy reflects on the love and meaning of her space journey
In an interview after returning to Earth from space, Katy Perry shared that the experience made her realize how much love she had to offer and how loved they all were. She also described it as the most meaningful experience of her life.
Gayle King overcomes fear and remains calm after spaceflight
Gayle King, after returning to Earth from her 11-minute spaceflight aboard the NS-31, admitted that she had once been afraid and never dreamed of becoming an astronaut. However, she overcame her fears and remained calm during the landing.
Katy Perry reflects on space journey
After returning from space, Katy Perry shared that the flight gave her a deep sense of belonging. She emphasized that it wasn't about reaching the destination, but rather the journey itself, which helped her appreciate life even more.
Lauren Sanchez defends Blue Origin mission
Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos' fiancée, expressed her wish that those criticizing the mission could witness the efforts at Blue Origin. She emphasized that many individuals had worked tirelessly behind the scenes, dedicating their hearts and souls to advancing science.
Blue Origin crew posing together after landing on Earth
— davill (@davill) Katy Perry reveals why she carried a daisy flower in her hand
The experience has shown Katy Perry how much love is inside of her, she says, adding that you cannot know how much you are loved “until the day you launch�?
According to the Guardian, Katy spoke about her daughter Daisy watching on and why she carried a daisy flower on the flight, "Daisies are common flowers but they grow through any condition. They grow through cement, cracks, walls. They are resilient, they are strong, they are everywhere.Flowers, to me, are God’s smile but they are also a reminder of our beautiful Earth. The beautiful magic is everywhere, all around us, even in a simple daisy.
Speaking about singing ‘What a Wonderful Life�?on the descent, she says it’s not about her and that “it is all for the benefit of Earth�?
Katy Perry kisses the ground as she exits the capsule
Pic: Blue Origin X handle
Key stats from today’s New Shepard crewed NS-31 mission: The Crew Capsule reached an apogee of 346,802 ft AGL / 350,449 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL).The booster reached an apogee of 346,481 ft AGL / 350,128 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL).Official launch time was 8:30:00 AM CDT / 13:30:00 UTC.Capsule landing occurred at 8:40:21 AM CDT / 13:40:21 UTC.The mission elapsed time was 10 min 21 sec.
Blue Origin - X handle
Blue Origin launches all-female celebrity crew with Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sanchez
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launched his fiancee Lauren Sanchez to space on Monday with an all-female celebrity crew that included Katy Perry and Gayle King. It was the latest wave in space tourism, where more of the rich and famous than ever before - or lucky and well-connected - can enter the zero-gravity realm traditionally dominated by professional astronauts.
The New Shepard rocket blasted off on the quick up-and-down trip from West Texas. The fringes of space beckoned some 65 miles (105 kilometers) up, promising a few precious minutes of weightlessness.
Sanchez, a helicopter pilot and former TV journalist, invited the others along for the 10-minute, fully automated flight, packing on the star power with singer-songwriter Perry and "CBS Mornings" co-host King.
Also sharing the ride were film producer Kerianne Flynn; Aisha Bowe, a former NASA engineer who started her own companies to promote science education; and Amanda Nguyen, a scientist who studied planets around other stars and now advocates for survivors of sexual violence.
Blue Origin declined to say how much the flight cost or who paid what. The trip comes two months before Sanchez and Bezos marry in Venice.
It was the 11th human spaceflight for the Washington state-based company, founded by Bezos in 2000 after making a fortune with Amazon. Bezos strapped in for Blue Origin's first space tourist flight in 2021 and accompanied the latest crew to the pad.
The celebrity launch was the nation's first spaceflight where women filled each seat. The only other all-female crew in 64 years of human spaceflight was back in 1963. That's when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova launched by herself, becoming the first woman in space. Tereshkova spent three days off the planet.
Even after the latest launch, women represent barely 15 per cent of the more than 700 people who have travelled into space.
Sanchez said she deliberately chose women to launch with her, each of them eager to inspire both the young and old to dream big, and even commissioned special flight suits.
"It's an important moment for the future of commercial space travel and for humanity in general and for women all around," Perry told The Associated Press last week.
The launch brought out VIPs to West Texas including Oprah Winfrey and several women who previously have flown on private flights.
This isn't the first Blue Origin launch with marquee names.
"Star Trek" actor William Shatner caught a lift to space with Blue Origin in 2021 at age 90, soon after Bezos' inaugural trip. He was followed by former New York Giants defensive end and TV host Michael Strahan and Laura Shepard Churchley, the eldest daughter of Mercury astronaut Alan Shepard, for whom the rocket is named.
Two aviation pioneers who missed out on space when they were younger - Wally Funk and Ed Dwight - also rocketed away at ages 82 and 90, respectively.
Most of Blue Origin's passengers - 58 counting the latest launch - have been business or science types, TV hosts or YouTubers. Ticket prices are not disclosed.
The Russian Space Agency also has launched its share of space tourists, beginning with a California financier in 2001. Two decades later, a Russian actress filmed aboard the International Space Station.
Elon Musk's SpaceX also sells multi-day trips to private customers. SpaceX's first client to fly, billionaire tech entrepreneur Jared Isaacman already has launched twice and performed the first private spacewalk. He's now set to become NASA's next administrator if confirmed by the Senate.
Chinese-born bitcoin investor Chun Wang just returned from the first spaceflight to carry people over the north and south poles. Wang picked up the whole SpaceX tab for himself and three polar explorers for an undisclosed sum.
"In this exciting new era of commercial spaceflight, the dream of becoming an astronaut is no longer limited to a select few," Wang said via X last week.
Katy Perry joins NS-31 crew for space journey
— blueorigin (@blueorigin) Blue Origin to fly Katy Perry to edge of space with all-female crew
Pop star Katy Perry, along with five other females, is set to create history by touring to the edge of space on Jeff Bezos' aerospace venture Blue Origin's tourist mission on Monday evening.
The six-member crew is expected to lift off on the company's reusable New Shepard rocket -- NS-31 -- from Launch Site One in West Texas at 8:30 a.m. CDT (7:00 pm IST).
The 11th human flight to suborbital space will last 11 minutes and will fly above the Karman line -- the internationally recognised boundary of space.
"I've dreamt of going to space for 15 years and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality," Perry shared in a post, along with a video, on Instagram.
"I am so honoured to be alongside five other incredible and inspiring women as we become the first ever all-female flight space crew!" she added.
In the video, she gave her fans a sneak peek inside her space capsule and declared that she might sing in space.
"I think I'm gonna sing, I'm gonna sing in a little bit, I got to sing in space," she said.
Besides Perry, the mission includes Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sanchez.
"This is the first all-female flight crew since Valentina Tereshkova's solo spaceflight in 1963," according to Blue Origin.
While Perry is one of the best-selling music artists of all time and a philanthropist, Flynn is a film producer and philanthropist. King and Sanchez are award-winning journalists.
Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, will become the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman astronaut.
Bowe is a former NASA rocket scientist, and the CEO of STEMBoard, an engineering firm. She is expected to conduct three research experiments, including studies on plant biology and human physiology -- advancing her mission to explore space for the benefit of Earth.
The mission will be the second this year. So far, Blue Origin has flown 52 people above the Karman line.
Unseen footage shows Katy Perry preparing for space journey with NS-31 crew
— todaykatyp (@todaykatyp) “I’ve got to sing in space!�?/p>
Katy Perry
Katy Perry's participation in Blue Origin mission
Katy Perry’s participation in Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission transcends celebrity spectacle—it’s a bold statement about possibility, representation, and the evolving narrative of space exploration. As part of the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, Perry joined five other trailblazing women on an 11-minute suborbital journey aboard the New Shepard rocket, launched from West Texas .�?br/>EW.com
Perry’s involvement brought global attention to the mission, inspiring countless fans and young women to envision themselves in roles traditionally reserved for scientists and astronauts. Her enthusiasm extended beyond the launch pad—she curated a personal playlist for the flight and embraced the mission’s cultural significance, blending her artistic identity with a passion for exploration .�?br/>
By stepping into a space historically dominated by men, Perry helped redefine who belongs in the cosmos. Her journey serves as a beacon for future generations, proving that the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.
WHAT IS BLUE ORIGIN NS 31 MISSION?
Blue Origin's NS-31 mission, launched on April 14, 2025, will mark a historic milestone as the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963. The six-member team included pop icon Katy Perry, journalist Lauren Sánchez, CBS anchor Gayle King, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Departing from West Texas, the autonomous New Shepard spacecraft ascended beyond the Kármán line, allowing the crew to experience weightlessness during the approximately 11-minute journey. The mission emphasized both scientific exploration and cultural representation, with crew members like Nguyen conducting research and Sánchez curating the team for their storytelling prowess. Notably, the crew donned custom-designed, jewel-toned spacesuits by designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, blending fashion with space travel. The NS-31 mission not only advanced private space exploration but also highlighted the growing intersection of science, media, and diversity in space endeavors.
Katy Perry set for launch on all-female spaceflight today: "I am SO honored" - WATCH
Pop star Katy Perry is set to blast off into space today on a groundbreaking spaceflight as part of Blue Origin’s first all-female spaceflight mission, NS-31.
The 10-minute suborbital trip aboard the rocket will mark a historic moment in space travel. With the clock counting down to the big takeoff on Monday morning, Katy took to Instagram to share her excitement. In a video, she shared a clip of the capsule in which she underwent training. "I’ve dreamt of going to space for 15 years, and tomorrow, that dream becomes a reality," she captioned the post.
Lauren Sanchez to visit space on fiancé Jeff Bezos' rocket! Check out the launch timing and more of Blue Origin's all-female spaceship
Jeff Bezos has ‘big things�?planned for his bride-to-be!
The Amazon founder is blasting his soon-to-be-wife, Lauren Sanchez, to space, as part of his pre-wedding gift to his fiancée! Sanchez is taking a trip to space, as part of her pre-wedding celebrations, along with her all-female passengers on board for the flight.
Here’s all you need to know about the all-female spaceflight.
The all-female flight!
It’s not a new piece of information that Jeff Bezos is all set to get hitched this summer, with his long-time partner and fiancée Lauren Sanchez, and all the hullabaloo around the heavyweight wedding has already started. Although the wedding is reportedly not before late June, the festivities are expected to start weeks before the actual wedding.
Sanchez’s flight to space in Bezos�?Blue Origin rocket, with five more female guests, reportedly is part of that celebration!
The private spaceflight company owned by Bezos had announced that Gayle King, Katy Perry, and Lauren Sánchez will join three other women on its upcoming mission, revealing that the 11th crewed flight, with an all-women crew, would board the New Shepard rocket. As reported by NBC News, a ticket for the ride in the Blue Origin Rocket goes into nothing short of six digits!
The launch of Blue Origin New Shepard:
Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle from the company's West Texas site on Monday, April 14. The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. EDT, and can be watched live via the company.
A livestream of the New Shepard launch will be available on Blue Origin's website 90 minutes before liftoff, and it will be simulcast on YouTube and the Blue Origin X account.
Monday's mission is known as NS-31, because it will be the 31st flight to date for New Shepard, a reusable rocket-capsule combo. This will be the 11th crewed flight for New Shepard; the other missions have been uncrewed research jaunts.
NS-31 will also be the first all-female spaceflight since June 16, 1963, when the Soviet Union's Valentina Tereshkova launched on a three-day solo trip to Earth orbit.
Who are on board NS-31 along with Lauren Sanchez?
Apart from Bezos�?fiancée Sanchez, the other passengers of the Blue Origin all-female spaceflight are pop star Katy Perry, "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King, author and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, STEMBoard CEO and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
NS-31 is set to launch to suborbital space aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle from the company's West Texas site on Monday.
The space fashion:
Only a few days ago, Perry posed in blue monogrammed suits alongside aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, journalist Gayle King, producer Kerianne Flynn, and activist Amanda Nguyen and shared the photos via Instagram, writing, “Happy International Day of Human Space Flight. Forever in awe of the Universe and it’s [sic] alignment.�?br/>
Sanchez had told Elle during an interview that she and her fellow passengers were planning to go glam before the flight, saying, “Who would not get glam before the flight?!�?She quipped that there would be “lash extensions flying in the capsule.�?br/>
Bezos�?fiancée also explained that she doesn’t have to worry about her lashes defying gravity, adding, “Mine are glued on. They’re good,�?to which Perry added, “Space is going to finally be glam!�?br/>
On the other hand, Bowe explained that she had thoroughly planned her rocket launch look and did a test run on her hair to “make sure�?it would be OK, saying, “I skydived in Dubai with similar hair to make sure I would be good �?took it for a dry run.�?br/>
Nguyen chimed in that people need to see them with a full face of makeup, saying, “This dichotomy of engineer and scientist, and then beauty and fashion. We contain multitudes.�?She added, “Women are multitudes. I’m going to be wearing lipstick.�?br/>
How long will the space trip be?
Although Sanchez is getting an unprecedented pre-wedding gift from her husband-to-be, she and her fellow passengers won't be gone for nearly that long.
New Shepard missions last just 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown. However, the NS-31 crew will get above the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of outer space, which lies 62 miles (100 kilometers) above Earth. The passengers will also get to experience a few minutes of weightlessness and see our planet against the blackness of space.
Departing from West Texas on April 14, 2025, the autonomous spacecraft will ascend beyond the Kármán line, allowing the crew to experience weightlessness during the approximately 11-minute journey. The mission emphasized both scientific exploration and cultural representation, with crew members like Nguyễn conducting research and Sánchez curating the team for their storytelling prowess. Notably, the crew donned custom-designed, jewel-toned spacesuits by designers Fernando Garcia and Laura Kim, blending fashion with space travel. The NS-31 mission not only will advanced private space exploration but also highlight the growing intersection of science, media, and diversity in space endeavors.
Trending
