Katy Perry to lead an all-female Blue Origin space mission
What's the story
American pop star Katy Perry is set to blast off into space aboard Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin rocket. The 40-year-old singer will join an all-female crew for the next New Shepard NS-31 mission, set to launch in the spring of 2025. The initiative is led by Bezos's partner, journalist Lauren Sanchez. Perry will be joined by Sanchez, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bio-astronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
Mission aspirations
Sanchez expressed excitement and hopes for the mission
In a social media post, Sanchez, who is a helicopter pilot, too, shared her excitement for the upcoming mission. She hoped this journey would inspire others to "dream big." Looking back at her own journey, she said, "If someone had told me that I would be able to go to space one day, I would have definitely laughed." "I can't believe it's happening. My dad used to teach people how to fly, and I used to hang around the hangar."
Crew's impact
Sanchez highlighted the significance of the crew's storytelling
Sanchez further stressed the importance of the crew members' storytelling abilities. "The incredible women who are going on this flight are extraordinary in all of their fields, but more importantly, they're incredible storytellers." "So what I'm hoping for is that this flight is not just transformative for them, but also for all of the people that they tell their story to. Hopefully, it sparks that imagination to dream big and reach for the stars."
Company overview
Blue Origin's history and future plans
To note, Blue Origin has been offering short space trips for tourists since 2021. While some passengers have enjoyed free rides, others have shelled out big bucks to experience weightlessness. Bezos, one of the richest men on Earth, was on board with his brother for the first-ever flight. The upcoming mission with Perry and her team (NS-31) will be the 11th human flight for the New Shepard program.