Pop star Katy Perry, news personalities Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez to go into space
Pop star Katy Perry, along with journalists Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez, who is also the fiancée of billionaire Jeff Bezos, are preparing for an historic journey into space aboard a Blue Origin rocket. This mission will mark the first all-female flight crew in over six decades.
The New Shepard rocket, a suborbital spacecraft measuring 18 meters in length, will transport the crew to the Kármán line, the boundary of space recognized internationally. Following a brief period of microgravity, the passengers will return to Earth via a parachute-assisted landing in the West Texas desert.
Joining Perry, King, and Sanchez on this groundbreaking mission are NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics researcher Amanda Nguyen, and movie producer Kerianne Flynn. The company has not yet announced a specific date for the upcoming mission, which will be the 11th human flight for the New Shepard rocket and its 31st overall.
The last recorded all-female spaceflight dates back to 1963 when Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova embarked on a solo mission, becoming the first woman in space.
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has previously launched notable figures such as Bezos himself, his brother Mark, former NFL player Michael Strahan, and actor William Shatner, who set the record for the oldest person in space at the age of 90.
In addition to its human spaceflight endeavors, Blue Origin recently achieved a significant milestone with the successful launch of its New Glenn rocket from Florida. This mission marked the company’s inaugural venture into Earth’s orbit as it aims to compete with SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, in the satellite launch industry.
While Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Virgin Galactic, owned by Richard Branson, have garnered attention for their advancements in space tourism, they have also faced criticism for the environmental impact of their ventures. As the space tourism industry continues to grow, concerns have been raised about the emissions and overall sustainability of these recreational space flights.
Critics have pointed to the disparity between the lavish spending on space travel by billionaires and their purported commitment to environmental causes. Some view these space endeavors as a symbol of wealth inequality and a stark reminder of the challenges posed by climate change.
In conclusion, the upcoming all-female space mission aboard a Blue Origin rocket represents a significant step forward in space exploration. As the boundaries of space travel continue to expand, it is essential to consider the environmental implications and ethical considerations associated with these groundbreaking achievements.
