April 14, 2025, will be remembered not only as a milestone in commercial spaceflight but also as a symbolic journey of resilience, unity, and inspiration. On this day, pop star Katy Perry and five extraordinary women launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-31 mission — marking the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963.
The mission, which lifted off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas, lasted just over 10 minutes. Yet in that short time above the Kármán line — the internationally recognized boundary of space — the crew experienced something far greater than microgravity: a profound reconnection to Earth, humanity, and themselves.
A Collective Energy in Space
For Katy Perry, the journey was deeply personal and transformative. Emerging from the capsule with a daisy in hand — a tribute to her daughter Daisy and a symbol of Earth’s resilience — Perry spoke about how space redefined her perception of love and connection.
“I feel super connected to love,” she reflected in the post-flight interview. “This experience has shown me how much love is inside of us — how much love we have to give and how loved we are.”
During the flight, Perry sang a few lines of “What a Wonderful World”, turning the experience into a tribute not only to space exploration but to Earth itself.
“It’s not about me; it’s about us. It’s about making space for future women, taking up space, and belonging. And it’s about appreciating this wonderful world we see right out there.”
Six Women, One Vision
The NS-31 crew represented diverse backgrounds, professions, and life stories, yet all shared a common message: humanity is more connected than we often realize.
Lauren Sánchez — journalist, Emmy Award winner, and mission leader — described Earth from space as “quiet, peaceful, and profoundly unifying.”
“We’re so connected. More connected than you realize. You see all these things that divide us — but we’re not. It makes me want to come back and hug everyone, knowing we’re in this together.”
Amanda Nguyễn, who made history as the first Vietnamese and Southeast Asian woman in space, carried another message of strength. A bioastronautics researcher, author, and advocate for survivors of sexual assault, she hoped her journey would inspire others to pursue their dreams regardless of obstacles.
Spaceflight as a Message to Earth
In its 31st mission, Blue Origin’s New Shepard proved once again that spaceflight is not merely about reaching the stars — it’s about returning to Earth with new perspectives.
Katy Perry described the experience as “second only to being a mom,” and a moment of surrender and trust in the unknown.
“It is the highest high,” she said, “and a reminder of how fragile and beautiful our planet is. This mission is for the benefit of Earth — to appreciate it, protect it, and pass on the wonder of exploration to future generations.”
A New Chapter in Space Exploration
As commercial spaceflight evolves, missions like NS-31 demonstrate that the future of space belongs to everyone — not just astronauts or engineers, but artists, activists, scientists, and dreamers.
The flight of these six women is a reminder that the next giant leap for humanity is not only technological but deeply human — a journey of courage, connection, and collective hope for a better world, both on Earth and beyond.
