Here's What Happened During Katy Perry's Space Launch
Yara Sameh
Katy Perry and 'CBS Mornings' anchor Gayle King were among the six passengers Monday on an all-female voyage into to the edge of space via Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space travel business.
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket soared into space after blastoff from the company's West Texas launch facility at 9:30 a.m. ET on Monday.
The eight-minute flight traveled more than 62 miles into the atmosphere, past the Kármán line, which per Blue Origin is the 'internationally recognized boundary of space.' Blue Origin promises passengers in its burgeoning space tourism business that the trip offers the chance to experience 'several minutes of weightlessness and witnessing life-changing views of Earth.' The module containing the astronauts, suspended from three parachutes, landed several minutes after the rocket.
The New Shepard rocket operates autonomously without a pilot. Joining the pop superstar and King are Bezos' fiance, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, engineer and NASA veteran Aisha Bowe, activist and scientist Amanda Nguyen; and movie producer Kerianne Flynn. The launch is designed to bring attention to women in aeronautics.
'I gotta sing in space,' Perry posted on Instagram on Sunday. But when asked about that comment during a pre-recorded CBS interview with all of the new astronauts, she commented, 'It won't be about me, it will be about this beautiful Earth. I think from up there, we will think 'Oh my God, we have to protect our mother.''
Perry did indeed sing during the flight. Although what she was singing was unclear during the broadcast, but King later said in an interview that it was 'What a Wonderful World.'
'I've covered that song in the past. Obviously my higher self is steering the ship. I had no clue I'd one day decide to sing a little bit of that in space,' Perry said of her decision to sing the Louis Armstrong classic. 'It's not about me. It's not about singing my songs. It's about a collective energy and making space for future women. It's about this wonderful world that we see right out there and appreciating it. This is all for the benefit of Earth.'
King told CBS News before the launch, 'I've made no secret of the fact that I'm very nervous but also very excited.'
The TV coverage cut included footage of people on the ground cheering as the rocket took off and gained altitude. After a couple of minutes, it broke the sound barrier and entered the atmosphere.
The astronauts were heard marveling at the sight of the moon.
Bezos, founder and chairman of Amazon, was the first to greet the astronauts after landing; he popped open the hatch with a wrench and greeted Sanchez. Perry was next out of the capsule; she knelt and kissed the sandy ground. King emerged and did the same.
Launched Blue Origin in 2000. The venture made its first flight in July 2021 with passengers that included Bezos and Wally Funk, a pioneering female astronaut who trained as part of NASA's Mercury program in the 1960s.
The gravity of the event was reflected by a comment from one announcer, who said after the landing, 'It's truly remarkable that all these people on the ground have been looking up at the sky for the past several minutes — and no one's been looking at their phone.'
read more
New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo
Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6
Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series
Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today
Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival
Arts & Culture
Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos
Arts & Culture
"The Flash" to End with Season 9
Arts & Culture
Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival
Arts & Culture
Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha
News
Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers
News
Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia
Lifestyle
Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe
News
Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content
Arts & Culture
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized
Videos & Features
Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO)
Sports
Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
News
Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Arts & Culture
New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple
Arts & Culture
Arwa Gouda Gets Married (Photos)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Egypt Independent
2 days ago
- Egypt Independent
Experts, MPs, call on state to take warnings of Alexandria sinking seriously
The severe storm that struck Alexandria Governorate on Saturday early morning renewed the concerns of many public affairs experts and experts at the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries (NIOF). These concerns were linked to numerous scientific studies issued by international scientific institutions, such as NASA, which revealed that the extreme climate changes impacting Alexandria could result in more extreme natural phenomena akin to the recent storm. These studies warned of the potential for the coastal city to sink, especially as sea levels rise. A recent study issued by the Technical University of Munich in Germany warned of the accelerated erosion of Alexandria's coasts and the collapse of hundreds of buildings due to the rising sea level of the Mediterranean Sea, and the intrusion of saltwater into the foundations of buildings. The ever growing threat of climate change The professor of marine sciences at the Faculty of Science at Alexandria University, Mohamed Shaltout, said that the history of climate change's reported impact on global average temperatures began in 1854, with the next warmest year being in 1990. He explained that temperatures rose by six degrees Celsius by the end of that period, which he cited as preliminary evidence of climate change. Climate change is the long-term impact on meteorological factors, he explained, which includes temperatures, rainfall, and weather patterns- consequently impacting all aspects of life. He noted that climate change will worsen water scarcity, further exacerbating shortages in already water-poor areas. Shaltout said that sea levels off the coast of the Egyptian Delta, especially Alexandria, will not exceed 29 cm in the worst-case scenario. This means that Alexandria is safe from total submersion, but added, 'We must manage the coasts more efficiently to deal with this slight increase.' He spoke about the risks posed by climate change, including coastal submersion and the subsequent displacement of their populations, the potential for drought and subsequent water scarcity, which will impact agriculture, and rising temperatures and the resulting migration of animals northward. MPs urge the state to act The head of the Liberal Constitutional Party, Mohamed Magdy Afifi, urged the state to take scientific warnings about Alexandria's vulnerability to submersion seriously, conducting in-depth study with experts from NIOF and the Faculty of Marine Sciences and Technology. This will help determine the best methods for addressing these warnings through future plans to protect Alexandria. Afifi noted that the destruction of 280 buildings over the past two decades, with 7,000 buildings at risk of collapse in the coming period, is a serious matter that requires in-depth scientific study by specialists. A member of Parliament for the Montazah district in Alexandria, Abul-Abbas Farhat Turki, said that climate change is going to impact many countries around the world and all marine systems, and Egypt will suffer greatly for it. He pointed out that parts of Alexandria, Marsa Matrouh, Beheira, and Kafr el-Sheikh are at risk of submersion and extinction, which requires swift action to develop future plans to address the crisis. Turki warned that global scientific institutions have issued studies showing that parts of Alexandria will likely be submerged and that the city is being impacted by climate change, due to rising sea levels. This requires careful preparation through marine protection projects, he added. A member of Parliament for the Raml district in Alexandria, Aly al-Dessouki Ahmed, also expressed deep concerns about the impact of climate change on Alexandria. He referred to NASA scientist Essam Heggy's statement regarding the possibility that large parts of Alexandria, its suburbs, and areas in northern Egypt being submerged, which will requires a concerted effort to save the coastal city. Dessouki said that climate change is a complex and pivotal issue, and 'We must conduct a comprehensive assessment of crisis management to ensure we are well prepared for future storms and environmental or marine disasters that may occur as a result of climate change and rising sea levels.' He praised the Alexandria Governorate's agencies for managing Saturday's severe weather, but warned that future storms could be more severe and difficult, requiring all agencies to maintain the highest level of preparedness. A Member of Parliament for the Montazah district in Alexandria, Mohamed Hussein al-Hamamy, said that Saturday's storm was a real test on how to manage crises and disasters in Alexandria. While the governorate had succeeded in dealing with it and mitigating its impacts, Hamamy warned that climate change is difficult and requires special preparations to manage. He explained that the state must act must use realistic scientific plans to confront this threat and prevent the city from sinking. This can be achieved by establishing marine protection projects for beaches along the Alexandria Corniche coastline and taking urgent measures to protect Alexandria from increasing rainfall rates brought on by climate change, he added. Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
See - Sada Elbalad
5 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
Trump Withdraws Jared Isaacman's Nomination to Lead NASA
Israa Farhan Former US President Donald Trump has officially withdrawn the nomination of billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to head the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The move comes amid reports that Isaacman's past political donations to prominent Democrats may have influenced the decision. Isaacman, a known ally of SpaceX founder Elon Musk, was originally nominated by Trump on December 4, 2024. In April 2025, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation recommended his appointment, indicating a likely confirmation. However, Trump announced on Sunday through his social media platform, Truth Social, that he would be selecting a new nominee for NASA Administrator, promising a leader who will prioritize American dominance in space exploration. The reversal marks a significant shift in Trump's space policy strategy during his ongoing campaign efforts, as he continues to place a high emphasis on revitalizing US space leadership. Isaacman, founder of the payment company Shift4 and commander of the first all-civilian spaceflight (Inspiration4), was widely seen as a bold choice with both business and private spaceflight experience. The decision to rescind Isaacman's nomination has stirred discussion in political and aerospace circles, particularly given his ties to both the private space sector and past bipartisan contributions. Critics and analysts alike view the withdrawal as part of Trump's broader effort to align top appointments with his political base ahead of the 2024 election cycle. As the search for a new NASA chief begins, the next nominee will face significant expectations to accelerate space exploration programs, enhance US competitiveness in low Earth orbit, and potentially shape the future of Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
See - Sada Elbalad
7 days ago
- See - Sada Elbalad
ICESCO Hosts 4th International Congress on Natural Products, Sustainable Development
Mohamed Mandour The 4th International Congress on 'Natural Products and Sustainable Development' kicked off at the headquarters of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) in Rabat, Morocco. The Congress is organized by the Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW), an affiliate of ICESCO, in partnership with Mohammed V University in Rabat and the Averroès Foundation for the Promotion of Scientific Research and Innovation, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may Allah assist him. This year's edition, which is being held under the theme 'Health, Nutrition, and Cosmetic Applications,' gathers participants from 47 universities across 27 countries, over the period spanning 29–31 May 2025. Its objectives include deepening scientific research in the field of natural products and promoting their applications in health, agriculture, nutrition, and cosmetics. It also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange and exploration of the latest scientific practices and technologies in this vital field. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks
