Celebrity travelers on Blue Origin’s recent space mission have been denied official astronaut status by the FAA despite crossing the boundary of space, highlighting the difference between space tourism and professional astronautics.
At a Glance
- Blue Origin’s all-female crew, including Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez, traveled beyond the Kármán line (66.5 miles altitude)
- Despite Blue Origin labeling them as astronauts, the FAA classifies them only as “space travelers”
- FAA regulations require crew members to perform activities essential to public safety or human spaceflight safety
- New Shepard’s autonomous operation prevents passengers from qualifying for official astronaut status
- The FAA has replaced its Astronaut Wings Program with a “Human Spaceflight Recognition” list
Historic Flight Lacks Astronaut Credentials
Blue Origin successfully launched its first all-female crew into space, marking a significant milestone for women in space exploration. The mission, which included celebrities Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and Gayle King, spent approximately four minutes in zero-gravity before returning to Earth just 11 minutes after launch. The crew traveled beyond the internationally recognized Kármán line at 66.5 miles above Earth’s surface, officially crossing into space during the April 2025 flight.
Despite Blue Origin publicly declaring the passengers as astronauts following their journey, the Federal Aviation Administration has clarified that these individuals do not qualify for official astronaut designation. This distinction comes despite the historic nature of the mission, which represented the first all-female crew to reach space since 1963 and was the 11th human flight in Blue Origin’s New Shepard program.
🚀Should Suborbital Passengers Be Called Astronauts?
The question of whether suborbital passengers should be called astronauts is a nuanced one, and the answer depends on how we define the term "astronaut" and what criteria we consider most important.
Let’s explore this step…
— Dr John Seach (@johnseach) February 26, 2025
FAA’s Strict Astronaut Definition
The Federal Aviation Administration, one of only three U.S. entities authorized to designate astronauts alongside NASA and the U.S. Army, has established specific criteria for astronaut recognition. According to FAA regulations, space travelers must perform activities essential to public safety or contribute meaningfully to human spaceflight safety during their mission. The autonomous operation of Blue Origin’s New Shepard vehicle eliminates the need for passenger intervention, disqualifying them from meeting these requirements.
The FAA’s position represents a significant tightening of requirements that occurred in 2021. Previously, the FAA’s Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program recognized anyone traveling above 50 miles as an astronaut. The regulatory change reflects the growing accessibility of space travel and distinguishes between professional astronauts and space tourists, regardless of their travel beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Space Tourism vs. Professional Astronautics
In response to the increasing frequency of commercial space flights, the FAA has discontinued its Astronaut Wings Program entirely. Instead, individuals who travel beyond 50 miles in an FAA-licensed vehicle are now added to a “Human Spaceflight Recognition” list. This change acknowledges the achievement of traveling to space while preserving the professional distinction of astronaut status for those who actively contribute to flight operations or scientific missions.
Despite the technical distinction, participants emphasized the inspirational value of their journey. The mission featured memorable moments, including Katy Perry singing “What a Wonderful World” while in space. The launch drew significant attention, with celebrities including Orlando Bloom, Oprah Winfrey, Kris Jenner, and Khloe Kardashian in attendance. Blue Origin continues taking reservations for future flights, positioning space tourism as increasingly accessible despite criticism that such opportunities remain limited to wealthy individuals.
— High Impact (@highimpactnews) November 14, 2024
The Future of Commercial Space Recognition
Blue Origin’s mission highlights the evolving landscape of space travel recognition as commercial flights become more routine. While the company has publicly referred to its passengers as astronauts, the FAA’s position establishes a clear distinction between space tourism and professional astronautics. Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and other crew members may be added to the FAA’s Human Spaceflight Recognition list, acknowledging their journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere without conferring official astronaut status.
As space tourism continues to expand, the distinction between astronauts and space travelers will likely remain a point of discussion in the industry. The FAA and Blue Origin have been contacted for additional comment regarding the classification of recent passengers. Regardless of official designation, the mission represents a significant achievement in expanding access to space and inspiring future generations, particularly women, to pursue involvement in space exploration.
