A New Kind of Launch

It wasn’t a NASA shuttle launch or a dramatic lunar landing—but what happened on Monday was just as iconic. Six women, none of them traditional astronauts, boarded a Blue Origin rocket and took a 10-minute trip beyond the Kármán line—the edge of space. This wasn't just a flight. It was a statement.

This launch was Blue Origin’s 11th sub-orbital mission, but it was the first to carry an all-woman crew since the days of the Mercury 13. Aboard were global pop superstar Katy Perry, philanthropist and pilot Lauren Sanchez, journalist Gayle King, producer Kerianne Flynn, and former NASA scientists Amanda Nguyen and Aisha Bowe. Each woman brought her own brand of influence, skill, and vision—making this journey more about changing perspectives than ticking off aerospace milestones.

Why These Six Women?

The crew was a carefully curated mix of science, media, and celebrity. Lauren Sanchez, also known for her role in aerospace philanthropy and her engagement to Jeff Bezos, served as a symbolic pilot for the mission’s vision. Amanda Nguyen and Aisha Bowe, both with deep roots in science and space advocacy, gave the launch its academic backbone.

Katy Perry’s inclusion may have raised eyebrows—but her participation had a purpose. She flew to inspire her daughter and her global audience. When asked about the flight, she didn’t speak in riddles: “10 out of 10. Go for it.” It wasn’t just tourism—it was inspiration in action.

Who went to space on Blue Origin?

Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, Kerianne Flynn, Amanda Nguyen, and Aisha Bowe.

Celebrity in the Cosmos

Many wondered: Did Katy Perry pay for the flight?
The answer: No, this mission was invitation-only. Selected guests were part of a broader mission to use cultural relevance to inspire the next generation of space explorers. This wasn’t a flex—it was a fusion of influence and aspiration.

Interestingly, Lady Gaga was once rumored to go to space with Virgin Galactic, but it never happened. In that light, Perry’s successful space jaunt marks a rare cross into literal star power.

How Far Did They Go? And How Long?

The New Shepard rocket reached just over 62 miles (100 km) above Earth—high enough to earn commercial astronaut wings. The entire experience lasted about 10 minutes, with a few minutes of weightlessness as the capsule coasted above Earth. It wasn’t an orbit, but it was enough to make the Earth shrink below and silence above ring loudly.

How long was Katy Perry’s flight?

Roughly 10 minutes.

How far did Blue Origin go?

Over 62 miles (100 km)—above the Kármán line, the official edge of space.

The Cost of a Galactic Seat

Blue Origin doesn’t publish an official price tag, but tickets are estimated between $250,000 and $500,000. The company often invites public figures, scientists, and influencers on promotional flights—Perry and others didn’t have to pay. But for everyday civilians? It’s a six-figure ticket to weightlessness.

Blue Origin doesn’t publish an official price tag, but tickets are estimated between $250,000 and $500,000. Source: X

How much does it cost to fly on Blue Origin?

Estimated between $250,000 to $500,000.

Blue Origin vs SpaceX: Who's Winning?

SpaceX is the leader when it comes to deep-space infrastructure. They’ve sent astronauts to the International Space Station and aim for Mars. Blue Origin, however, is dominating short-range sub-orbital tourism with its New Shepard rocket. It’s easier, more accessible, and focused on the experience—not destinations.

Is Blue Origin better than SpaceX?

Depends. SpaceX rules orbital missions; Blue Origin leads sub-orbital tourism.

History Check: Then vs. Now

Sally Ride, America’s first woman in space, was just 32 when she launched aboard the Challenger in 1983. The women aboard Blue Origin’s latest mission may not all be astronauts, but their influence is no less potent. Their success rides on the shoulders of legends and pushes forward a new kind of accessibility.

Who is the longest person to stay in space?

 
Valeri Polyakov holds the record: 437 days aboard Mir.

How old was Sally Ride when she went to space?

32 years old.

Looking Forward: A New Era

This flight wasn’t about breaking orbital records. It was about breaking cultural ones. It proved that space travel can be diverse, inclusive, and—dare we say—aspirational beyond the realm of rocket science.

Amanda Nguyen, one of the scientists aboard, summed it up best: space has a way of exposing just how much love and hope you carry. And perhaps that’s the point—not just to explore outwards, but to reflect inwards.

This was more than a launch. It was a soft but seismic shift in how we think about space—and who gets to go there.