Katy Perry Makes History as the First Artist to Perform in Space During Pioneering All-Female Mission | Science, Climate & Tech News
Katy Perry has taken to the stars, joining five other women in the first all-female space crew in over sixty years.
The Firework singer launched from West Texas aboard a Blue Origin rocket, making history as the first artist to perform in space.
Accompanying Perry were noted individuals such as author Lauren Sanchez, the fiancée of Blue Origin founder and Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, journalist and television host Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, former rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, and filmmaker Kerianne Flynn.
Katy Perry rings a symbolic bell before boarding the New Shepard rocket. Pic: Blue Origin
(Seated left to right) Lauren Sanchez and Kerianne Flynn, (standing left to right) Amanda Nguyen, Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Aisha Bowe. Pic: Blue Origin
The illustrious crew had the support of family and friends back on Earth, including Kris Jenner, Khloe Kardashian, and Oprah Winfrey, who expressed her immense pride for King.
Oprah recounted her advice to King, saying: “There’s only one time all the women are going up for the first time,” encouraging her to seize the opportunity or risk future regret.
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Weightlessness
The crew experienced weightlessness for just four minutes after crossing the Karman line, a recognized 62-mile threshold that marks the boundary of space.
Pic: Blue Origin
The excitement was palpable as they screamed in delight, soaking in the breathtaking views of the moon.
As they began their descent from space, Perry broke into song, performing What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong.
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When asked about her song choice, she explained: “It’s not about me or about me singing my songs; it was about a collective energy in there.”
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“It’s about this beautiful world we see right out there and cherishing it.”
She also confirmed plans to write a song reflecting on this extraordinary experience.
Katy Perry kisses the ground after the flight. Pic: Blue Origin
The descent
Three parachutes deployed from their capsule to ensure a safe return to Earth, and just before touchdown, an air cushion released, creating a cloud of dust in the West Texas desert for a dramatic landing.
Pic: Blue Origin
Pic: Blue Origin
“While I’m excited, I will be relieved when we land safely,” shared the self-proclaimed apprehensive flyer King before liftoff.
Upon exiting the shuttle, she kissed the ground and joyfully exclaimed, “Thank you, Jesus.” She remarked on the “eerily quiet” atmosphere in space, pondering that humanity could “do better and be better” on Earth.
Describing her experience, Flynn tearfully conveyed, “It was the most extraordinary moment of my life to be up there, witnessing the immense darkness of space while gazing at our planet.”
“The moon was breathtakingly beautiful; it felt like a cherished gift meant just for me,” she added.
