Blue Origin's all-female spaceflight returns: Katy Perry sings in space, crew kisses ground

Blue Origin’s historic all-female spaceflight returns to Earth with crew emotionally overwhelmed by the experience.

Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket successfully returned to Earth after an almost 11-minute flight, marking a historic moment for space exploration.

The mission, featuring an all-female crew for the first time in over 60 years, included pop star Katy Perry, broadcaster Gayle King, journalist Lauren Sánchez, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyễn, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.

The crew traveled to the edge of space, experiencing a brief period of weightlessness. Upon their return, Sánchez, who is engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, shared her emotional reaction to the journey, describing Earth as "so quiet" from space. She added, "I don't think you can describe it... it was quiet but also really alive."

Katy Perry, who serenaded her fellow passengers with a rendition of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" during the flight, reflected on her experience after landing. She said, "I feel super connected to love," holding a daisy flower she took into space in honor of her daughter, Daisy. Perry explained that daisies are resilient flowers, capable of growing under any conditions, and described them as symbols of strength and power.

-Blue Origin.

"About singing 'What a Wonderful World,' it’s not about singing my songs. It’s about a collective energy in there," Perry said. "It’s about us. It’s about making space for future women, taking up space, and appreciating the wonderful world we see out there." Upon her return she also kissed the ground.

-Blue Origin.

Broadcaster Gayle King, who also joined the flight, was visibly moved by the experience. She commented, "I can't even believe what I saw. When somebody calls this a ride, this was not a ride. This was a bonafide freaking flight."

The crew’s return from the edge of space is a milestone for both Blue Origin and the growing role of women in space exploration, marking an inspiring moment for future generations.