Overview

• Blue Origin's NS-31 mission sent an all-female crew, including Katy Perry and Gayle King, on an 11-minute suborbital journey on April 14, 2025.
• Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated the participants do not meet FAA astronaut criteria, intensifying debates on the legitimacy of private spaceflight titles.
• Katy Perry privately expressed regret over making the landing a public spectacle, particularly her ground-kissing moment, though she described the experience as life-changing.
• The mission drew sharp criticism from public figures like Emily Ratajkowski and Olivia Wilde, who called it wasteful and performative, and prompted trolling from brands like Wendy's.
• Crew members, including Gayle King, defended the flight's significance, highlighting its role in inspiring women and advancing space research despite the backlash.