Katy Perry’s All-Female Space Mission Sparks Controversy and Critique

CAPSULE, TX — Pop star Katy Perry, alongside a group of prominent women, embarked on a historic all-female space mission aboard Blue Origin‘s New Shepard rocket on April 14, 2025. The mission, known as NS-31, lasted just 11 minutes and has since ignited fierce debate over the implications of such a journey, particularly amidst pressing global issues.

The crew featured notable figures including CBS host Gayle King, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez, who is Jeff Bezos‘ fiancée. This flight marked the first all-female crew to visit space since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova‘s solo flight in 1963.

Upon returning to Earth, Perry was seen kissing the ground — a gesture criticized by many as disrespectful to NASA astronauts who have faced significantly more challenging conditions in space. Critics quickly took to social media, calling her actions an “ultimate insult” to pioneers like Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who spent nine months stranded aboard the International Space Station due to capsule malfunction.

Actress Olivia Munn voiced her objections on the Today show, stating, “There are so many other things that are so important in the world right now. What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous.” This sentiment resonated with many amid the exorbitant costs associated with space tourism, reportedly requiring deposits of around $150,000.

In response to the backlash, actress Jessica Alba defended the mission on Instagram. She urged her followers to redirect their anger towards political figures, specifically former President Trump. Alba reposted a message from political strategist Ana Navarro-Cárdenas, asserting, “I wish people would show the same energy & focus that anger towards fearlessly denouncing Trump’s abuses of power, which do affect countless lives in the US and the world.”

The crew members defended their flight, reiterating its importance for women and girls. Gayle King stated, “There was nothing frivolous about what we did,” underscoring the mission’s inspirational potential for future generations. Bowe added, “We advanced science today… We are inspiring the world right now,” highlighting that the mission aimed to gather scientific data for future research.

The brief duration of the flight has sparked dialogue on what defines a legitimate space mission. While the New Shepard spacecraft reached an altitude of 62 miles, surpassing the Kármán line — the internationally recognized boundary of space — the adequacy of such short trips as genuine space exploration remains under scrutiny.

Social media reactions to the mission were swift and often scathing. Wendy’s, known for its sharp online presence, tweeted, “Can we send her back?” in reference to Perry’s post-flight antics. The fast-food chain’s comments, along with those from other celebrities, highlighted a growing sentiment that such missions are disconnected from the realities faced by everyday people.

The environmental implications of space tourism have also prompted criticism. Many argue that resources spent on such flights could be better utilized to address urgent issues on Earth. Emily Ratajkowski condemned the mission, labeling it “end-time s**t” and questioning the environmental ethics of traveling to space while claiming to care for Mother Earth.

Perry, however, appeared unfazed by the backlash. After the flight, she posted on Instagram featuring her daughter Daisy’s lunchbox, stating, “Back to the best reality, packing school lunch,” implying a return to normalcy following her brief adventure in space.

The aftermath of the mission has sparked a broader conversation about the role of celebrity involvement in space exploration and whether these endeavors contribute to scientific knowledge or merely serve as publicity stunts for the wealthy. With the space tourism industry projected to be worth $1.3 billion in 2024, the implications of these missions will likely fuel ongoing debate.

While the NS-31 mission might have achieved a milestone in terms of an all-female crew, it also highlighted the disparities between celebrities and professional astronauts committed to advancing human knowledge in space. The essential question persists: what does it truly mean to explore space, and who is afforded that opportunity?