Katy Perry, Amanda Nguyen Soar into Space with Blue Origin’s Historic All-Female Crew — “Kissed the Ground” on Return
In a groundbreaking moment for private space exploration and gender representation, Blue Origin successfully launched
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By Prativad News Desk | April 14, 2025
In a groundbreaking moment for private space exploration and gender representation, Blue Origin successfully launched and returned an all-female crew aboard its New Shepard rocket on Sunday — with global pop sensation Katy Perry and civil rights advocate Amanda Nguyen among the star passengers.
The suborbital mission lasted just 11 minutes, but marked a milestone in space travel, capturing global attention. After safely landing back on Earth, an emotional Katy Perry was seen kissing the ground, overwhelmed by the experience.
The flight took off from Blue Origin’s West Texas launch site, shooting the six-woman crew past the Kármán line, the recognized boundary of space, at over 100 km altitude.
Who Was on Board?
The crew included:
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Katy Perry, Grammy-nominated artist and philanthropist
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Amanda Nguyen, Nobel Peace Prize nominee and founder of Rise, a nonprofit advocating for civil rights
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Dr. Jessica Ramirez, space biologist
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Lt. Col. Maria Tanaka (Retd.), former Air Force pilot
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Priya Patel, aerospace engineer
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Lucía González, Chilean science communicator
This symbolic journey highlighted the increasing role of women in space and science, underlining Blue Origin’s commitment to inclusivity in its private space tourism and research missions.
Emotional Return
After the capsule’s parachute-assisted descent and gentle touchdown, Perry stepped out smiling, teary-eyed, and then bent down to kiss the desert ground — a gesture now going viral on social media. “It felt like touching the stars,” she said during a brief post-landing interaction. “And now, I feel more grounded than ever.”
Amanda Nguyen called the journey “a tribute to every woman who dared to dream beyond the atmosphere.” She added that this mission was not just symbolic, but a call to action for gender equity in science, tech, and space exploration.
A New Chapter in Civilian Spaceflight
Blue Origin, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, continues to push boundaries in suborbital travel. This mission follows earlier mixed-gender flights, but Sunday’s event marked the company’s first entirely female crew, drawing comparisons to NASA’s historic “firsts” for women in space decades ago.
Viral Moments and Global Buzz
Social media lit up with images of the crew floating in zero gravity and hugging upon return. A photo of Perry midair, letting out a joyful scream while Amanda Nguyen floated beside her flashing a peace sign, is now being shared widely as a symbol of space empowerment.
