Katy Perry to Go to Space as ‘Blue Origin’ Announces Crew for New Shepard’s 31st Mission

Katy Perry | Source: Getty Images
Katy Perry | Source: Getty Images

Katy Perry to Go to Space as ‘Blue Origin’ Announces Crew for New Shepard’s 31st Mission

A global pop icon known for dazzling performances and chart-topping hits is now set to make history — this time, not on stage, but among the stars.

Pop superstar Katy Perry is preparing to make history as part of Blue Origin’s upcoming NS-31 mission. The flight will feature the company’s first all-female crew, set to launch this spring.

Perry will join astronaut hopeful Aisha Bowe, activist Amanda Nguyen, journalist Gayle King, investor Kerianne Flynn, and media personality Lauren Sánchez on the mission.

Katy Perry at iHeartRadio Z100's Jingle Ball 2024 at Madison Square Garden on December 13, 2024, in New York | Source: Getty Images

Katy Perry at iHeartRadio Z100’s Jingle Ball 2024 at Madison Square Garden on December 13, 2024, in New York | Source: Getty Images

Blue Origin officially announced the crew lineup on February 27, 2025. According to the company, the NS-31 flight will mark New Shepard’s 11th human voyage.

This milestone mission highlights the growing presence of female pioneers in the space industry, with all six crew members representing different fields, from music and media to science and social activism.

Perry, known globally for her chart-topping hits and groundbreaking performances, will soon add space traveler to her extensive resume.

Katy Perry is seen in a photo, dated October 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/katyperry

Katy Perry is seen in a photo, dated October 8, 2024 | Source: Instagram/katyperry

She holds the title of Capitol Records’ top-selling female artist and has accumulated over 115 billion streams throughout her career.

Beyond her musical achievements, Perry is also recognized for her humanitarian work. She serves as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and supports children in underserved communities through her Firework Foundation.

Katy Perry attends the LuisaViaRoma for Unicef event at La Certosa di San Giacomo on July 31, 2021, in Capri, Italy | Source: Getty Images

Katy Perry attends the LuisaViaRoma for Unicef event at La Certosa di San Giacomo on July 31, 2021, in Capri, Italy | Source: Getty Images

The singer expressed her excitement and sense of purpose for the upcoming flight in a heartfelt Instagram post. Reflecting on her journey, Perry wrote, “If you had told me that I would be part of the first ever all-female crew in space, I would have believed you.”

She continued by sharing how her childhood imagination fueled her dreams, despite growing up with limited means.

Perry added that her determination to inspire her daughter played a crucial role in her decision to join the mission. “That’s why this opportunity is so incredible — so that I can show all of the youngest & most vulnerable among us to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively.”

“I work hard to live my life that way still, and I am motivated more than ever to be an example for my daughter that women should take up space (pun intended),” expressed the “Roar” singer.

While preparing for her spaceflight, Perry is also getting ready to launch her latest musical journey, “The Lifetimes Tour,” which kicks off this April. Balancing rehearsals with astronaut training, Katy Perry’s year ahead promises to be one of her most ambitious yet.

Besides Perry, the space mission includes five other aspiring female figures with notable profiles. Aisha Bowe brings a strong scientific background to the mission.

A former NASA rocket scientist and entrepreneur, Bowe serves as CEO of STEMBoard, an engineering firm recognized on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. She also founded LINGO, an educational platform focused on equipping students with essential tech skills.

Of Bahamian descent, Bowe hopes her journey from community college to space will inspire young people both in the Bahamas and across the world to pursue their ambitions.

Amanda Nguyen’s resume blends science and social activism. As a bioastronautics researcher and Harvard graduate, Nguyen has contributed to projects at NASA, MIT, and the Harvard Center for Astrophysics.

Her work includes research on NASA’s final shuttle mission, STS-135, and the Kepler exoplanet mission. Beyond science, Nguyen is a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and a TIME Woman of the Year for her advocacy on behalf of sexual violence survivors.

As the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman to go to space, her flight symbolizes hope and reconciliation between Vietnam and the United States.

Veteran journalist Gayle King adds a powerful media voice to the group. Known for her work as co-host of “CBS Mornings,” King is recognized for her ability to engage in thoughtful, meaningful conversations.

Alongside her journalism career, she also hosts “Gayle King in the House” on SiriusXM and serves as editor-at-large for “Oprah Daily.” King shared her excitement about the flight, explaining that even though the idea of space travel is intimidating, she is eager to embrace the adventure.

CBS Mornings even dedicated a special Instagram post to celebrate King, which read in part, “Our very own @gayleking is going where few have gone before — aboard a historic @blueorigin flight into space…. Tune in this spring to watch Gayle take to the skies.”

Kerianne Flynn brings her creative and philanthropic spirit to the team. After a career in fashion and human resources, Flynn turned her attention to nonprofit work and film production.

She has served on the boards of organizations like The High Line and Hudson River Park. As a producer, her films — “This Changes Everything” (2018) and “LILLY” (2024)—have explored gender equity and fair pay. Flynn hopes her spaceflight will inspire her son, Dex, and encourage young dreamers to pursue their explorations.

Lauren Sánchez, who played a key role in bringing the mission together, is no stranger to aviation. An Emmy Award-winning journalist, pilot, and Vice Chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, Sánchez founded Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned aerial production company.

She also authored the bestselling children’s book “The Fly Who Flew to Space,” released in 2024. Reflecting on the upcoming flight, Sánchez called the opportunity “even bigger” than her childhood dream of becoming a pilot.

In an Instagram post, Sánchez expressed her pride in flying alongside such accomplished women, “I am beyond excited to share the news of my @BlueOrigin space flight this spring and the fearless explorers who are coming with me! I really see this group as explorers, and storytellers, each of us about to be changed by a remarkable view of our beautiful planet. The countdown starts now!”

The NS-31 flight will be the 11th human flight for New Shepard and the 31st overall. To date, Blue Origin has sent 52 people above the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The company, founded by Jeff Bezos, envisions a future where millions of people can live and work in space while helping to preserve Earth — its “blue origin.” Bezos has described this vision simply, “It’s this generation’s job to build a road to space, so that future generations can unleash their creativity.”

As Blue Origin prepares for this historic flight, many are drawing parallels to Valentina Tereshkova, who became the first woman in space in 1963.

Tereshkova, a textile worker and skydiving enthusiast from Russia, blazed a trail for women in space exploration. Now, more than sixty years later, the NS-31 crew will build on that legacy by becoming the first all-female team to fly together into space.

The world's first space-woman, Valentina Nikolayeva-Tereshkova, is pictured in Britain | Source: Getty Images

The world’s first space-woman, Valentina Nikolayeva-Tereshkova, is pictured in Britain | Source: Getty Images

With each of these women bringing their unique stories, skills, and voices to the mission, the NS-31 flight promises to be more than a scientific achievement.

It is a cultural milestone that blends science, media, activism, and art into one shared experience — one that will inspire future generations to dream beyond the sky.

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