Katy Perry Prepares for Spaceflight With Carl Sagan/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Katy Perry is preparing for her first trip to space with Blue Origin by diving into astrophysics and embracing her “feminine divine.” The pop icon joins an all-female crew that includes Lauren Sanchez and Gayle King for Monday’s 10-minute flight. Perry says she hopes to inspire the next generation of girls to dream big — even beyond Earth.
Katy Perry’s Space Mission: Quick Looks
- Katy Perry joins Blue Origin’s first all-female space crew, launching Monday from Texas.
- She’s reading Carl Sagan and string theory to mentally prepare for the experience.
- Perry says she’s channeling her “feminine divine” and motherly strength ahead of launch.
- Crew includes Lauren Sanchez, Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, and former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe.
- Perry hopes the mission will inspire young girls and boost representation in STEM and space.
- Blue Origin’s flight will be the 11th human mission since its debut in 2021.
- This marks the first all-women crew in space since 1963.
- Perry’s daughter Daisy joined her in rehearsals ahead of training in Texas.
- Bezos’ company has not disclosed whether Perry and others are paying or flying as guests.
Katy Perry Prepares for Spaceflight With Carl Sagan
Deep Look
ONTARIO, Calif. — As she prepares to leave Earth — if only briefly — Katy Perry is reaching for the stars in more ways than one.
The Grammy-nominated pop icon and global entertainer is set to join an all-female Blue Origin spaceflight, lifting off Monday from Texas. To prepare for the historic mission, Perry has immersed herself in cosmic philosophy and science, including Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and theories of astrophysics and string theory.
“I’ve always been interested in astronomy, in astrophysics, in the stars,” Perry said. “We are all made of stardust.”
A Mission Rooted in Empowerment
For Perry, who turned 40 last year, this trip isn’t just a scientific milestone — it’s a personal and symbolic one. Known for songs like Firework and Roar, Perry’s discography is filled with themes of empowerment and cosmic wonder. Now, she’s turning those metaphors into reality.
“I’m talking to myself every day and saying, ‘You’re brave, you’re bold, you’re doing this to inspire the next generation — especially young girls — to think, “I’ll go to space someday,”’” Perry said.
Her daughter Daisy, age 4, was by her side at rehearsals. Perry credits motherhood for deepening her emotional and spiritual strength.
“I’ve unlocked something,” she said. “Being a mother just makes you level up with that type of power — that feminine divine.”
Meet the Crew: Six Women, One Goal
- Lauren Sanchez, Bezos’ fiancée and former TV journalist,
- Gayle King, veteran broadcast journalist,
- Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and research scientist,
- Aisha Bowe, an aerospace engineer and former NASA rocket scientist,
- Kerianne Flynn, a film producer and longtime friend of Sanchez.
The 10-minute suborbital flight aboard the New Shepard rocket will give passengers a few minutes of weightlessness before returning to Earth. It will be Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight, part of the company’s growing push into commercial space tourism.
Historic Impact, Despite Critics
Although the mission has received some criticism — including from actress Olivia Munn, who questioned the spectacle and costs — Perry believes the flight carries historic and cultural weight.
Only about 11% of all space travelers have been women, and this mission marks the first time since Valentina Tereshkova’s solo journey in 1963 that an all-female crew will launch together.
“It’s an important moment for the future of commercial space travel, for humanity, and for women all around,” Perry said. “I’m excited for that number to be more equal after this flight. Put us in, coach.”
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