Why Katy Perry really kissed the ground after stepping off capsule that launched her into space

Katy Perry has now safely landed back down on Earth after venturing off into space this afternoon (14 April).

The 40-year-old 'Firework' singer and former American Idol judge was joined by Lauren Sánchez, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and fiancée to Bezos, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, CBS Mornings and SiriusXM radio host Gayle King and decorated film producer Kerianne Flynn.

Now, the all-female crew of six flew into space for a total of 11 minutes, reaching heights of more than 100km (62 miles) above Earth as they crossed the internationally recognised boundary of space - giving them a few moments of weightlessness before safely making their way back down to their home planet.

Upon leaving the spacecraft, Perry took a moment to hold a daisy to the sky before kissing the ground - but what was the reasoning behind this?

Well, she reportedly did this as a sweet tribute to her daughter, Daisy Dove, who she welcomed to the world with actor Orlando Bloom back in 2020.

And as for why she kissed the ground?

Well, the gesture can refer to a literal act of reverence or respect, or figuratively, it can mean to praise someone highly or to show extreme admiration.

So, in this case, it seems like Perry was pretty stoked to have made it to space and back safely as she can now reunite with her daughter and hubby following the exhilarating mission.

Katy Perry appeared to make a sweet tribute to her daughter, Daisy Dove, upon exiting the Blue Origin spacecraft (YouTube/Blue Origin)

She previously said of being selected for the flight: "If you had told me that I would be part of the first ever all-female crew in space, I would have believed you.

"Nothing was beyond my imagination as a child."

Sánchez, who brought the women together, has said she is 'so proud of this crew'.

"Earth looked so quiet. It was just quiet," she gushed, adding it was not what she expected. "I don't think you can describe it. It was quiet but also really alive.

Perry was clearly stoked to be back on Earth (Sky News)

"You look at it and you're like, we're all in this together. That's all I could think about."

Explaining that she feels 'complete and utter joy', Sánchez began to get teary as she confessed: "I don't cry that often so I didn't expect to be this emotional."

Blue Origin has previously said that the last all-female spaceflight was over 60 years ago when Soviet Cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman to travel into space on a solo mission aboard the spacecraft Vostok 6.

Tyla has contacted representatives for Katy Perry for comment.