The first images of Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and Gayle King in space were released Monday following their successful suborbital flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The mission marked a high-profile, all-female crew launch as part of the company’s ongoing efforts to promote space travel accessibility and public interest in commercial space exploration.
The six women on board experienced approximately four minutes of weightlessness after the spacecraft crossed the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. During their brief time in zero gravity, the crew was seen floating inside the capsule, interacting with the camera, and performing simple movements such as handstands and rolls.
Katy Perry, the Grammy-nominated singer, was photographed holding a daisy while smiling at the camera. After the spacecraft landed safely, Perry spoke about the symbolism behind the flower. “Daisies are common flowers, but they grow through any condition,” she said. “They are resilient. They are powerful. They are strong.” During the flight, she also performed a rendition of “What a Wonderful World,” emphasizing a message of unity and appreciation for Earth.
Finally Katy Perry takes the mantle from Meghan Markle, as the world’s most annoying person… pic.twitter.com/1nbECersik
— Rob Boyd, Esq (@AvonandsomerRob) April 14, 2025
Lauren Sanchez, longtime media personality and fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, appeared in another image gripping a support rail while smiling broadly inside the spacecraft. Sanchez has previously expressed strong support for space exploration and women’s participation in aerospace industries.
Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist and aerospace entrepreneur, brought a patch representing the Bahamas, her ancestral homeland. Bowe is known for her advocacy for STEM education and increasing diversity in the science and engineering fields.
However, not everyone wanted to hear from these ‘stars.’ Wendy’s response was the best:
Can we send her back
— Wendy’s (@Wendys) April 15, 2025
They mocked her a couple of times:
I kissed the ground and i liked it https://t.co/pjBpDIZ9k8
— Wendy’s (@Wendys) April 15, 2025
Don’t short change her it was 11 minutes
— Wendy’s (@Wendys) April 15, 2025
CBS anchor Gayle King, 70, defended the mission against criticism that it was purely symbolic or a vanity effort. Speaking ahead of the launch, King said, “It isn’t an either-or. It’s a both-and. And what happens in space also benefits what’s happening on Earth.”
Blue Origin released additional footage showing the crew observing the Earth and Moon from space. The launch took place at approximately 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time from the company’s West Texas facility near Van Horn, a rural town located about 100 miles southeast of El Paso. The entire mission lasted 11 minutes from liftoff to landing.
Amanda Nguyen, a civil rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize nominee, delivered an emotional message after the flight, highlighting her journey as a survivor of sexual assault. “I just want every survivor and every person who’s ever had a dream deferred to know that your dreams are valid,” she said. “Even if your dreams are as wild as going to space, they matter.”
Kerianne Flynne, a film producer and the sixth member of the crew, also completed the journey without issue. The team returned safely to Earth in the capsule, which landed in the desert using parachutes.
Blue Origin’s head of flight operations and maintenance, Audrey Powers, said the mission contributes to the company’s broader objective of making spaceflight more inclusive and impactful. “We want to do that first and foremost, as we say, for the benefit of Earth, and New Shepard plays a really important role in that vision,” Powers stated.
The successful mission adds to Blue Origin’s ongoing efforts to expand commercial space tourism and promote public engagement with space exploration through high-profile passenger selections.
