Pop icon Katy Perry has officially touched the edge of space, fulfilling a lifelong dream and making history as part of the first all-female crew aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft. The suborbital flight launched at 8:30 a.m. local time on April 14 from West Texas, crossing the Kármán line—recognized as the boundary of space—before safely returning to Earth.
The 11-minute journey marked a powerful milestone, not just for Perry, 40, but for space exploration as a whole. Alongside her were five other remarkable women: television host and helicopter pilot Lauren Sánchez, film producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, Vietnamese-American space scientist Amanda Nguyen, and journalist Gayle King.
As the rocket lifted off, cheers erupted from the crowd gathered at the launch site. Among them were Perry’s daughter, Daisy, and her family, watching with pride as the singer soared into the sky. Upon her return, Perry stepped out of the capsule, raised a white daisy toward the sky, and kissed the ground—her flower a tribute to Earth and her daughter, whose name it shares.
“The daisy symbolizes life,” Katy said, explaining that she carried the flower throughout her journey as a reminder of the planet she loves and the daughter she was doing this for.
The New Shepard capsule offered the crew a brief but awe-inspiring experience of weightlessness and a stunning view of the Earth from over 100 km above its surface. Fully automated, the spacecraft required no pilot, and both capsule and booster made a smooth return to Earth—the capsule via parachute, the booster landing autonomously nearby.
This mission, officially titled NS-31, is Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight and one of the company’s most historic yet. Founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, the private aerospace company has long aimed to make space accessible for civilians, and this all-female mission is a significant step toward that goal.
In a heartfelt Instagram post before liftoff, Perry shared her excitement:
“For 15 years, I’ve dreamed of going to space. Today, that dream comes true. I’m honored to be part of this historic mission with five other extraordinary women. I’ve never felt so much love and support.”
Ahead of the launch, she also told the Associated Press:
“I’ve always been fascinated by the stars—astrophysics, astronomy, even astrology. This is for the next generation, to show what’s possible when you believe in yourself. I remind myself every day: I am brave, I am bold, and I’m doing this to inspire others.”
As Katy Perry and her crew stepped back onto solid ground, they didn’t just return as passengers from a flight—they returned as pioneers.
