Katy Perry has become a trending topic—not because of her music, but because she was one of six women on the latest crewed mission of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The singer successfully traveled to space and returned to Earth, but do you know exactly how long the trip lasted? Here’s everything you need to know.
How Long Was Katy Perry in Space?
The New Shepard spacecraft launched from the Texas desert around 8:30 a.m. CDT. The rocket reached speeds of over 3,700 km/h, experienced a few minutes of weightlessness, and then began its descent, landing just 11 minutes later.
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Who Traveled to Space with Katy Perry?
This mission marked the first all-female crewed spaceflight since 1963. Alongside Katy Perry, the crew included:
- Gayle King – Journalist
- Aisha Bowe – Former NASA aerospace engineer
- Kerianne Flynn – Filmmaker
- Lauren Sánchez – Journalist
- Amanda Nguyen – Scientist
REPLAY: A New Shepard tradition pic.twitter.com/dSexRmoZl7
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 14, 2025
Why Did Katy Perry Go to Space?
Katy Perry shared that space travel had been a dream of hers for over 20 years. Since childhood, she’s had a vivid imagination and a deep fascination with astrophysics, astronomy, and astrology. Now, she hopes to inspire young girls to dream of reaching the stars and exploring the universe.
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How Much Does It Cost to Travel to Space?
Space travel is an exclusive, yet highly lucrative market. A seat on Blue Origin’s New Shepard—Jeff Bezos’ space company—can cost over a million dollars. Those who wish to reserve a seat for just a few minutes in space must first make a deposit of $150,000. However, some seats are offered for free to individuals that Bezos considers valuable or inspirational.
Who Else Has Traveled to Space with Blue Origin?
Katy Perry’s flight marked the eleventh crewed mission for New Shepard. Jeff Bezos’ company has already sent more than 50 people to space, most of them millionaires or elite individuals such as tech moguls, celebrities, scientists, and public figures. Some notable passengers include:
- TV host Jesús Calleja
- Dennis Tito
- Guy Laliberté
- Yusaku Maezawa and his assistant Yozo Hirano
- Chun Wang
Which Companies Offer Space Tourism?
Although space tourism has been around for over two decades, interest has skyrocketed in recent years. Currently, three major companies are leading the space tourism market:
- Blue Origin
- SpaceX
- Virgin Galactic
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What is Blue Origin?
Blue Origin is a private aerospace company founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos. Its main goal is to make space travel more affordable, thereby expanding access to space for a larger number of people.
Using reusable rocket technology, Blue Origin aims to revolutionize the space industry—much like how commercial aviation once made air travel accessible to the masses. The company’s rockets, such as the New Shepard and New Glenn, are designed to take off and land vertically, which allows their components to be reused up to 25 times, significantly reducing costs.
These innovations align with Bezos’s vision of democratizing access to space, although there are still major challenges to overcome before space travel becomes a viable option for the general public.
What is the New Shepard Rocket Like?
The New Shepard rocket is designed for suborbital flights and features a fully automated system that minimizes the need for human intervention during the journey. This space vehicle is equipped with reusable liquid-fueled engines, allowing it to be recovered and launched multiple times. Additionally, its capsule includes an advanced landing system that combines parachutes with retro-thrusters to ensure a controlled and safe descent.
