Katy Perry was one of five women to travel to the edge of space earlier today but you could be next in line to enjoy a very similar experience.
Katy Perry became the first pop star to travel to space earlier today after she and five other women made their 11 minute journey to the stars in a Blue Origin made rocket. The shop lifted off from West Texas on April 14 and travelled to the edge of space, by-passing the Kármán line before successfully returning to Earth just minutes later, making it the first all-female spaceflight in more than 60 years.
The ET singer flew out alongside former Nasa rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn and Jeff Bezo’s fiancée Lauren Sanchez. The New Shephard rocket, made by the private space firm owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, travelled more than 100km (62 miles) above Earth with the group enjoying only a few minutes of weightlessness before returning home to earth.
While it’s not known whether or not the popstar personally paid for her once in a lifetime flight, one thing is for sure – a seat on that rocket will have cost thousands and be very far out of the reach of an ordinary person’s pay cheque.
However, for those inspired by the launch that lack the funds or the bravery to actually do it, there is another very similar space experience you can embark on which will take you on the same incredible journey without actually leaving the comfort and gravity of our planet.
Even better, the experience also doesn’t have a price tag on it for millionaires only and is even included in the price of admission when you arrive. Sound like your thing? You need to pay a visit to Florida’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
While Florida is not exactly round the corner, it’s a lot closer than space and guests can enter a near perfect replica of the New Shephard capsule, located in Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex without the bump back to earth.
The journey takes visitor on a breathtaking VR journey beyond the Kármán Line – the boundary which separates Earth’s atmosphere and outer space.
The immersive virtual reality experience, which was developed in close collaboration with scientists, engineers and producers, uses actual data and imagery to authentically mimic the voyage to space and back.
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By leveraging cutting-edge VR technology, including high-resolution graphics and advanced hand and motion tracking, the capsule ensures a deeply immersive experience that’s also visually beautiful.
Blue Origin’s interactive exhibit opened at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex back in December 2023.
The capsule also includes an accessible flight seat and VR headset external to the capsule to allow those who can’t physically enter the capsule on their own to enjoy the same launch experience.
The New Shepard experience is included with the price of admission, but a time should be booked via the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex app or via a QR code on arrival at the visitor complex.
Less than an hour from Orlando, guests can go beyond their imagination and discover something real at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
From the dawn of space exploration, to current and ongoing missions, visitors can get a hands-on feel for the story of humans in space.
The experience is open to guests of all ages who can get up close to real flight flown artefacts, enjoy inter-stellar VR and simulator experiences, meet a veteran NASA astronaut and discover so much more the solar system.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9am, with closing times varying by season. Single-day admission is $75 per adult (around £56) and $65 (around £49) per child. A two-day ticket is available for $89 per adult (around £67) and $79 per child (around £59).
More information and how to book tickets can be found here.