Pop icon Katy Perry has given fans an unprecedented glimpse into her preparations for a groundbreaking journey to space, sharing exclusive footage from inside the Blue Origin capsule just hours before liftoff.
As part of the first all-female crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo flight in 1963, Perry and her five crewmates are set to make history today, April 14, 2025, aboard the New Shepard spacecraft.
In a video posted to her Instagram, Perry, clad in her flight suit, enthusiastically tours the compact interior of the New Shepard capsule. “This is where the magic happens,” she declares, gesturing to the six individual seats arranged around a central console. Each seat is personalized with the name of a crew member, with Perry’s labeled with her call sign, “Feather”—a nickname bestowed by her mother.
Adding a personal twist, Perry revealed that the capsule is named “Tortoise,” another maternal nickname.
“What are the chances that I’m going to space on a rocket in a capsule with my symbol, the feather, called Tortoise?”
She mused in the video.
“There are no coincidences, and I’m just so grateful for these confirmations.”
The footage also captures the final simulation preparations, offering viewers a sense of the tight quarters where the six women will experience their journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere. As the camera pans to show the team seated together, Perry introduces them as her “astronaut girly friends,” highlighting the camaraderie among the crew.
The New Shepard spacecraft, developed by Blue Origin, is designed for suborbital tourism, taking passengers just beyond the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 62 miles (100 km) above Earth. Equipped with large windows, the capsule promises stunning views of Earth during the brief flight.
The mission, lasting approximately 10-11 minutes from launch to landing, includes about four minutes of weightlessness at its apex. Following this, the capsule will descend to Earth, landing softly in the West Texas desert with the aid of parachutes.
Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission marks a significant milestone as the first all-female crew since Tereshkova’s pioneering flight. This diverse team unites women from varied fields, blending entertainment, journalism, science, and aerospace expertise. The crew includes:
- Katy Perry: Pop star and mission participant
- Lauren Sánchez: Mission leader and fiancée of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos
- Aisha Bowe: Former NASA rocket scientist and STEM CEO
- Kerianne Flynn: Film producer
- Gayle King: CBS Mornings co-host
- Amanda Nguyen: Bioastronautics research scientist
Sánchez, leading the mission, emphasized its goal to “inspire the next generation of explorers,” expressing her honor in guiding this team. The crew’s diversity underscores Blue Origin’s aim to demonstrate that space is accessible to all.
The NS-31 mission is set to launch at 8:30 AM Central Time (2:30 PM BST) today, April 14, 2025, from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas. Fans and space enthusiasts can watch live via multiple platforms. CBS will offer extensive coverage, starting with a special edition of CBS Mornings at 7:00 AM Eastern Time, followed by “Gayle Goes to Space” at 8:00 AM ET. The launch will stream on Space.com and Blue Origin’s official YouTube channel.
Perry has been training at Blue Origin’s West Texas facility, blending her signature humor with a deep appreciation for the mission’s scientific aspects.
“I’m really excited about the engineering of it all,”
She told the Associated Press, citing influences like Carl Sagan’s Cosmos and her interest in astrophysics, astronomy, and astrology. Beyond personal achievement, Perry sees the mission as a chance to inspire, particularly young women and girls.
“I am talking to myself every day and going ‘You’re brave, you’re bold, you are doing this for the next generation to inspire so many different people but especially young girls to go, ‘I’ll go to space in the future.’ No limitations,”
she said.
She also highlighted her role as a mother, noting,
“I’m more determined than ever to be a role model for my daughter, showing that women should occupy space—both literally and figuratively.”
Adding a playful element, Perry announced her intention to sing during the flight. “I think I’m gonna sing. I’ve got to sing in space!” she exclaimed in the capsule tour video. If she does, she could become the first professional recording artist to perform vocals in space, infusing the mission with her unique flair. Perry also quipped about the glamour of spaceflight, saying,
“My extensions will be flying in the capsule. Mine are secured. They’re perfect,” and declaring, “Space is finally going to be glamorous.”
The NS-31 mission is the 11th human spaceflight for the New Shepard program, which began taking passengers to space in 2021 with Jeff Bezos aboard the inaugural flight. The reusable rocket and capsule system aims to lower costs and broaden space access, serving tourists and scientific endeavors.
As Katy Perry prepares to “take off like a firework” on this historic flight, her behind-the-scenes capsule tour offers a tangible connection to the excitement of commercial spaceflight. The NS-31 mission celebrates women’s achievements in space while pushing the boundaries of who can explore beyond Earth.
