Pop star Katy Perry, along with five other women, is poised to embark on a journey into space aboard Jeff Bezos’s space tourism rocket.
The singer is set to be accompanied by Lauren Sánchez, the fiancée of Jeff Bezos, along with CBS presenter Gayle King.
The New Shepard rocket will launch from its West Texas site, with a launch window commencing at 08:30 local time (14:30 BST).
The upcoming flight will last approximately 11 minutes and ascend over 100 kilometers (62 miles) above the Earth’s surface. This journey will cross the internationally acknowledged boundary of space, allowing the crew to experience brief moments of weightlessness.
The team includes former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
The spacecraft operates entirely on its own, eliminating the need for pilots, as the crew does not engage in manual vehicle operation.
The capsule is set to return to Earth, employing a parachute-assisted soft landing technique. Meanwhile, the rocket booster is expected to land autonomously approximately two miles from the launch site.
“Had someone informed me that I would be a member of the inaugural all-female crew in space, I would have accepted it as a possibility.” As a child, my imagination knew no bounds. Despite our modest beginnings, I have always maintained a hopeful curiosity about the world around me. In a recent social media post, Mrs. Perry expressed her thoughts.
Blue Origin highlights that the most recent all-female spaceflight occurred more than six decades ago when Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova made history as the first woman to embark on a solo journey into space aboard the Vostok 6 spacecraft.
Since then, no additional all-female spaceflights have occurred; however, women have made numerous significant contributions to the field.
Founded in 2000 by billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is a private space company that aims to revolutionize space travel.
Blue Origin has yet to disclose full ticket prices, but a deposit of $150,000 (£114,575.85) is necessary to secure a seat, highlighting the exclusivity surrounding these initial flights.
The company is not only venturing into suborbital tourism but is also actively engaged in the development of long-term space infrastructure, which encompasses reusable rockets and lunar landing systems.
The New Shepard rocket boasts a fully reusable design. Following each flight, its booster makes vertical landings back at the launch pad, a feature that significantly cuts overall costs.
US law mandates that astronauts undergo extensive training tailored to their designated roles.
Blue Origin has announced that its New Shepard passengers undergo a two-day training program. This training emphasizes physical fitness and emergency protocols and provides essential information regarding safety measures and procedures for experiencing zero gravity.
In addition, the mission features two support personnel designated as Crew Member Seven. One is tasked with offering ongoing guidance to astronauts, while the other ensures communication is maintained from the control room throughout the mission.
As space tourism gains momentum, it faces increasing scrutiny over its exclusivity and potential environmental impact.
Proponents contend that private enterprises are driving innovation forward and enhancing accessibility to space.
In a statement to the BBC in 2024, Professor Brian Cox emphasized the necessity for civilization to extend its reach beyond Earth, citing numerous reasons for this imperative. He expressed optimism regarding the collaboration between NASA and commercial enterprises, viewing it as a constructive development.
However, opponents highlight serious environmental issues.
Experts warn that the increasing frequency of rocket launches poses a growing threat to the ozone layer.
A study conducted in 2022 by Professor Eloise Marais at University College London revealed that rocket soot in the upper atmosphere exerts a warming effect that is 500 times more significant than that produced by planes operating at lower altitudes.
Space tourism remains a luxury reserved for the affluent, as the steep prices associated with these missions place them beyond the financial reach of most individuals.
During an appearance today with Jenna & Friends, actress Olivia Munn raised concerns about the optics of a recent venture, stating, “There’s a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs.” Her comments reflect a growing criticism surrounding the initiative.
Astronaut Tim Peake has advocated for the importance of human space travel, particularly in addressing pressing global challenges like climate change.
During the COP26 climate summit held in Glasgow, Peake expressed his discontent regarding the perception of space exploration as an endeavor primarily for the affluent. He remarked, “I am a fan of using space for science and for the benefit of everybody back on Earth, so in that respect, I feel disappointed that space is being tarred with that brush.”
