Katy Perry Prepares for All-Female Spaceflight with Blue Origin
Pop star Katy Perry is set to embark on a groundbreaking journey as she joins an all-female crew on an upcoming spaceflight organized by Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos. Scheduled for launch on Monday, the mission highlights a significant moment in commercial space travel.
Inspiring Future Generations
Before her departure, Perry shared her motivation for participating in the mission during an interview with the Associated Press at her rehearsal site in Southern California. “I am talking to myself every day and going, ‘You’re brave, you’re bold… especially young girls to go, “I’ll go to space in the future.” No limitations,’” she expressed.
Preparation Through Knowledge
Perry has engaged in extensive reading to mentally prepare for the experience, including works by Carl Sagan on astronomy and string theory. “I’m really excited about the engineering of it all. I’m excited to learn more about STEM and just the math about what it takes to accomplish this type of thing,” she stated.
A Historic Flight
This mission will mark a historic moment as it is the first all-female crew to venture into space since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963. The crew includes not just Perry, but also notable figures such as journalist Gayle King and helicopter pilot Lauren Sanchez, who curated the team. Other participants are former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, research scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
The Context of Space Exploration
To date, women constitute only 14% of all individuals who have journeyed into space, underscoring the importance of this mission. Perry emphasized, “It’s an important moment for the future of commercial space travel and for humanity in general and for women all around. I just feel like, ‘Put us in coach.’”
Reflections on Motherhood and Strength
The artist also shared how motherhood has empowered her. “Using that feminine divine that I was born with and definitely unlocked when I had my daughter even more. It leveled up for sure,” Perry said, referencing her four-year-old daughter, Daisy, who often accompanies her to rehearsals.
Looking Ahead
Blue Origin has been successfully conducting short suborbital flights since 2021, and this upcoming mission will represent its 11th human spaceflight. Although some critics, including actor Olivia Munn, have raised concerns about the implications of such high-profile space tourism, Perry remains enthusiastic about the potential to inspire others.
“I am feeling so grateful and grounded and honored to be invited and included with this incredible group of women,” Perry concluded, as she prepares for this historic trip.
