Pop star Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’s fiancée Lauren Sánchez, and four other women safely returned to Earth after an 11-minute suborbital flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket on Monday.
The all-female crew also included CBS anchor Gayle King, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn, reports BBC.
The autonomous rocket lifted off from West Texas and reached over 100km above Earth, crossing the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space—before parachuting safely back to the desert floor. Bezos personally greeted the crew, with Sánchez disembarking first, tearfully expressing her awe at seeing the moon and Earth’s quiet beauty from space.
Katy Perry sang “What a Wonderful World” during the flight and kissed the ground upon landing. King, who has a fear of flying, said the experience was transformative. Flynn shouted joyfully, “I went to space!”
The mission drew both admiration and criticism. Some praised the all-women crew for inspiring future generations, while others, including scientists, questioned the mission’s scientific value and high cost. Dr. Tanya Harrison called it a “marketing stunt,” but acknowledged it could influence perceptions about who can go to space.
Blue Origin, founded by Bezos in 2000, is developing reusable rockets and lunar systems. Though exact ticket prices remain undisclosed, a $150,000 deposit is required—highlighting space tourism’s exclusivity.
Environmental experts also raised concerns, noting that even water vapor from rocket engines can impact the ozone layer. While Blue Origin claims zero carbon emissions, scientists stress the need to monitor the broader climate effects of frequent launches.
Despite criticism, the crew emphasized the inspirational value of the mission, particularly for young girls, calling it a step toward broader inclusion in space exploration.
Bd-pratidin English/FNC
