‘Mission Space’: Katy Perry prefers Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin to Elon Musk’s SpaceX; know why

Pop superstar Katy Perry will join Blue Origin’s first all-female crew on a spaceflight aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ New Shepard rocket in its NS-31 mission, scheduled for spring 2025.

In her recent admissions, Perry, who is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, aims to inspire her daughter and others through this journey.

The All-Female Crew and Historical Context

Led by Lauren Sánchez (Bezos’ fiancee), the crew includes CBS anchor Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and former NASA engineer Aisha Bowe. Further, the mission highlights a milestone in space history, as no all-female crew has launched since Tereshkova’s 1963 flight.

New Shepard Mission Details

The 11-minute suborbital flight will cross the Karman line (62 miles above Earth), offering four minutes of weightlessness and panoramic views. Blue Origin’s automated New Shepard rocket requires no pilot, relying on autonomous systems. Previous celebrity passengers include William Shatner and Michael Strahan.

Why did Katy Perry choose Bezos’ Blue Origin and not Elon Musk’s SpaceX?

Blue Origin’s New Shepard: Designed for suborbital flights (11 minutes, 62 miles altitude) offers a simpler, safer entry point for non-professionals, with minimal training.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon: Built for orbital missions (days in space, docking with the ISS) requires rigorous training and suits astronauts or researchers, not celebrities seeking brief experiences.

Celebrity-Friendly Strategy:

Blue Origin has prioritized high-profile passengers to boost visibility. Its automated, no-pilot system reduces complexity for novices. SpaceX, meanwhile, focuses on NASA contracts and commercial satellite launches.

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As such, New Shepard’s suborbital flights have a lower risk profile. Blue Origin’s 100% safety record (despite a 2022 uncrewed failure) appeals to celebrities whereas SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, while safe, involves longer missions with higher stakes.