Ever wondered what Roar would sound like in zero gravity? We may be about to find out, because global pop superstar Katy Perry is heading to space. This spring, she will board Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket as part of the company’s first all-female crew. Her five traveling companions are journalist Gayle King, pilot and journalist Lauren Sánchez, NASA alum and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist and scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
But let’s back up for a second. How did we get to the point where the singer of Firework is suiting up as an astronaut, even if only for a 10-minute journey? It is all thanks to Blue Origin, the space venture founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos. While the company has already launched several tourist flights, this mission, officially named NS-31, is its first with an all-women crew. Considering that women have historically been underrepresented in spaceflight, this moment is a significant milestone. For reference, NASA has selected only 61 female astronauts since its inception, and the first all-female spacewalk happened just four years ago.
And yet, that is exactly what makes this so inspiring. Here we are in 2025, witnessing six bold women redefine what it means to be an astronaut. Their journey is a suborbital flight, briefly crossing the 62-mile (100-kilometer) threshold of space before returning to Earth. Those few minutes beyond our planet’s boundary send a powerful message: women belong everywhere, from corner offices to rocket cockpits, proving that no frontier is out of reach.
So who exactly is on board? Katy Perry, a pop icon and advocate for self-expression. Gayle King, the CBS anchor who initially hesitated but ultimately embraced the experience, calling it a “unique” and worthwhile opportunity. Lauren Sánchez, an experienced pilot, journalist, and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund, who played a key role in orchestrating the mission.
Joining them is Aisha Bowe, a former NASA rocket scientist turned tech entrepreneur. Amanda Nguyen, a 2019 Nobel Peace Prize nominee and tireless advocate for survivors of sexual violence. Kerianne Flynn, a film producer with a strong record in nonprofit work and social impact. From STEM to social justice, each of these women stands as a role model, proving that the possibilities for the next generation are limitless.
The message is clear: anyone with vision, grit, and a spark of curiosity can push the boundaries of what is possible. For those of us wrestling with AP Calculus or coding into the early hours, it is a glimpse of the future. And who knows? The next group of trailblazing women to break new frontiers might include someone reading these very words.
