Katy Perry, Lauren Sanchez, and Gayle King flew on Blue Origins' New Shepard, but may not be considered astronauts by the FAA. The flight operated autonomously, meaning the crew had no piloting role during the mission. The FAA's 2021 updates defined astronaut eligibility based on demonstrated contributions to safety, but these guidelines are vague and have led to confusion. Although the FAA's wings program was discontinued in 2021, accolades for participating in space travel still exist. Regardless, under popular definitions, they could still be viewed as astronauts in a broader context.
Despite the flight's success, crew members including Katy Perry may not be classified as astronauts under FAA rules due to their non-pilot roles.
The FAA's updated 2021 rules stipulate that crew members must demonstrate essential activities for safety to gain astronaut status, leaving room for interpretation.
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