Katy Perry kisses Earth, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos hugs fiancee Lauren Sanchez as Blue Origin Rocket returns from Space
Pop icon Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez, fiancée of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, soared to the edge of space Monday morning (April15) aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, marking the first all-female spaceflight in over six decades. Liftoff occurred at 9:31 a.m. ET from Blue Origin’s launch site in West Texas. The suborbital flight lasted approximately 11 minutes, delivering a brief but weightless experience for the six women aboard. Rounding out the historic crew were CBS broadcaster Gayle King, producer Kerianne Flynn, former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe, and scientist-activist Amanda Nguyen.
The company has previously flown several celebrity passengers, including Bezos himself in 2021, actor William Shatner, and Good Morning America host Michael Strahan. Monday’s flight, however, stood apart — not just for its famous passengers, but for the milestone it represented in space travel history. Blue Origin’s 11th crewed mission comes as the company eyes bigger ambitions. In January, it successfully launched its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket to orbit. Soon after, the company laid off around 10% of its workforce. CEO Dave Limp later said the company remains focused on future goals, including a planned moon landing with an uncrewed vehicle in 2025 and increased frequency for both New Shepard and New Glenn launches.
Kiss and Hug: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos open the Rocket’s door
According to a report in Bloomberg, after experiencing roughly four minutes of weightlessness, the capsule returned to Earth under parachutes, landing safely in the desert. Jeff Bezos was on hand to open the capsule’s hatch, where he embraced Sánchez. Perry followed, dropping to her knees and kissing the Earth.
“I feel super connected to love,” Perry reportedly said after the flight, clutching a daisy she had taken into space. “It is the highest high, it is surrender to the unknown.” When asked how the trip compared to other highlights of her career, she replied, “This experience is second to being a mom.”
Excitement, song and more from inside the Blue Origin Space flight
During the flight, excitement echoed through the capsule. “You guys, look at the moon! Oh my god!” one crew member exclaimed, while Perry broke into a rendition of “What a Wonderful World.” According to King, the moment was filled with awe and emotion as they gazed at Earth from above.
Blue Origin announcement by Lauren Sánchez
Sánchez first revealed her spaceflight ambitions during a 2023 interview with Vogue, emphasizing the significance of assembling an all-female crew. “These women are paving the way,” she said at the time.
The launch drew a high-profile crowd. Kris Jenner and Khloe Kardashian watched from the viewing area and praised the mission as “inspirational.” Oprah Winfrey, a close friend of King, was also present. “None of us will ever forget this day,” she remarked.
