Space is an awe-inspiring and enigmatic topic to research. Space exploration in itself is awe-inspiring when given the opportunity to explore the vastness of space. Not only is it a once in a lifetime experience, only having about 700 people who have flown past the considered boundary of space itself (Astronomy). Who wouldn’t want to witness something so out of this world?
Throughout the 64 years of spaceflight, there has only been one all-female spaceflight, achieved by Valentina Tereshkova, who flew solo in 1963.
UNOOSA explains how women flying solo on a spaceflight is a gender norm, notably seen by the minimal number of female astronauts compared to men. Only 11 percent of the world’s astronauts are women.
Thereasa Onody, a school guidance counselor, commented, “It is amazing that there is finally a group of an all women group after many years of having only one all women space group”.
Today, April 14, Katy Perry and five other women are going off into space. Although the total time of the flight and time spent in space was only twenty minutes, this is an event impactful for the women community, as explained by BlueOrigin.
Having these six influential women go to space leaves a big impact on the generations to come as girls who are interested in the field of space and science will have a physical role model to look up to.
Not only will it be something that the younger generation can witness, but it also shows that they can succeed in the field of science regardless of male dominance within the field. Giving younger females a physical role model to look up to, they can strive for their dreams.
Katy Perry shared to Rolling Stone earlier today that her instinct says, “this can’t be happening”, but in reality, she firmly believes, “believing your dream and saying that is actually how you make your dreams come true.”
