Blue Origin, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, is at the forefront of commercial space tourism. Over the last few years, the company has launched several celebrities into suborbital space aboard its New Shepard rocket. From pop stars like Katy Perry to legendary actors and athletes, Blue Origin has redefined who gets to become an astronaut.
With Katy Perry and Gayle King set to join an upcoming all-female mission on April 14, 2025, let’s take a closer look at the other well-known celebrities who’ve already taken the ride of a lifetime.
Katy Perry to Join Blue Origin’s Star-Studded Mission
The upcoming NS-31 mission marks a major milestone for Blue Origin — its first all-female spaceflight.
Crew includes:
- Katy Perry (Pop Star)
- Gayle King (Journalist)
- Aisha Bowe (Engineer)
- Kerianne Flynn (Investor)
- Amanda Nguyen (Activist)
- Lauren Sánchez (Pilot & Bezos’ partner)
This groundbreaking launch is scheduled for Monday, April 14, and will further elevate the visibility of women in space exploration.
Jeff Bezos and Wally Funk: Pioneering Blue Origin’s First Flight
Blue Origin’s first human flight took off on July 20, 2021, with Jeff Bezos himself aboard the NS-16 mission. The crew also included:
- Wally Funk, a trailblazing female aviator denied space access in the 1960s
- Mark Bezos, Jeff’s brother
- Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old student from the Netherlands
This launch marked the beginning of Blue Origin’s commercial spaceflight era.
William Shatner: Star Trek Icon Becomes Oldest Person in Space
On October 13, 2021, Star Trek legend William Shatner flew aboard Blue Origin’s NS-18 mission. At 90 years old, he became the oldest person ever to travel to space. His emotional return reminded the world of Earth’s beauty and fragility.
Michael Strahan: NFL Great Takes Flight
Michael Strahan, former New York Giants star and current “Good Morning America” host, joined NS-19 on December 11, 2021. This was Blue Origin’s first six-person mission.
Strahan brought along a football that now rests in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, symbolizing a powerful connection between sports and space.
Coby Cotton: YouTube Star in Zero Gravity
On August 4, 2022, Coby Cotton, from the famous YouTube group Dude Perfect, lifted off on NS-22. His journey introduced millions of younger viewers to the reality of space tourism.
This flight signaled the growing trend of influencers in space.
Ed Dwight: History Rewritten at 90
Ed Dwight, originally selected in the 1960s as the first Black astronaut candidate, finally reached space at age 90 on NS-25, launched on May 19, 2024. Though he never made it to NASA, his eventual journey with Blue Origin fulfilled a dream deferred.
Dwight is now both an astronaut and a renowned sculptor who tells stories through art and space history.
Emily Calandrelli: Science Communicator and Space Educator
Emily Calandrelli, MIT engineer and host of Netflix’s Emily’s Wonder Lab, soared aboard NS-28 on November 22, 2024. She became the 100th woman to fly to space and continues to inspire young minds through STEM and space exploration.
Why Blue Origin’s Celebrity Missions Matter
These high-profile flights do more than just capture headlines. They:
- Promote awareness of space tourism
- Highlight diversity in age, gender, and background
- Inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, and explorers
From Katy Perry’s upcoming mission to William Shatner’s historic ride, Blue Origin is making spaceflight more visible, personal, and human.
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