In this week’s news, you’ve probably seen that pop star Katy Perry went where most have never gone before: space. She launched into space with 5 others on a historic all-female Blue Origin rocket flight.
The mission, known as NS-31, was led by Lauren Sánchez (the partner of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos) who recruited an esteemed team of celebrities, scientists and journalists to join her on the flight. Sánchez and Perry launched on a suborbital spaceflight from Blue Origin's West Texas pad alongside STEMBoard CEO and former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King and bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen.
Their mission was to be the first all-female space crew since the Soviet Union launched cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova into orbit, becoming the first woman in space in 1963. Katy Perry took to social media, passionately sharing her hopes that her journey encourages her daughter and others to reach for the stars and inspire the next generation of explorers.
With Aisha Bowe and Amanda Nguyen in attendance, the mission achieved a balance between celebrity influence and inspiring real-world STEM role models. Aisha Bowe, the CEO of STEMBoard and a former NASA rocket scientist, brought her expertise and passion for space exploration to the forefront. Her presence on the mission underscores the importance of scientific innovation and the critical role that women play in advancing technology.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, further emphasised the significance of STEM in space travel. Her research focuses on the impact of space travel on human biology, contributing invaluable knowledge to the field of bioastronautics. By participating in this historic flight, Nguyen highlighted the critical intersections between science and space exploration.
This blend of high-profile celebrities and accomplished scientists sends a powerful message to young girls and women that they too can aspire to and excel in STEM fields. The visibility of strong female role models like Bowe and Nguyen not only promotes gender inclusivity but also encourages the next generation to pursue careers in STEM.
Dawn Ross, Liaison Coordinator at the STEM Hub comments:
“Katy Perry's recent journey into space has inspired a new generation to reach for the stars and what better place to ignite that passion than at our STEMFest events this June and October. With our dedicated Space Zone, we are creating an inclusive environment that celebrates curiosity, champions gender equality and encourages participation from young people across all ethnic backgrounds. The future of space belongs to everyone.”
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket is a reusable booster and crew capsule built to fly passengers and experiments on short trips to suborbital space. Though the rocket's space capsule cannot orbit the Earth, it does fly above the Kármán line, 62 miles (100 kilometers) up, widely regarded as the boundary of space. The missions are short, around 11 minutes, allowing passengers to experience about 4 minutes of weightlessness and sweeping views of Earth from space through New Shepard's large windows. There are no pilots aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rockets, which fly autonomously.
This flight not only showcases the advancements in space travel technology but also marks a significant step toward gender inclusivity in the space industry. Katy Perry's involvement further highlights how celebrities can use their influence to inspire and advocate for scientific exploration and innovation. This mission served as a beacon of hope and progress, encouraging young girls and women everywhere to dream big and break barriers in the fields of STEM.
