Lauren Sánchez will have a new pal joining her on her upcoming, all-female trip to space on a Blue Origin rocket: Flynn, the character from her first children’s book, The Fly Who Flew to Space.

Sanchez, 55, says bringing a plushy version of the character is a funny case of life imitating art.

“When I wrote The Fly Who Flew to Space, I didn’t think I’d be following in Flynn’s footsteps so soon,” she tells PEOPLE. “It all feels like a beautiful blend of imagination and reality.”

Sánchez’s children’s book follows the adventure of a fly who accidentally gets stuck in a rocket ship that takes off and then has an unexpected adventure among the stars. The philanthropist and former TV journalist says she feels a kinship with him.

Lauren Sánchez with a cardboard cutout of Flynn on her ‘The Fly Who Flew to Space’ book tour.

Daniel Peeples

“Like Flynn, I never thought in a million years that I’d have the chance to go to space,” she says.

“But this journey is more than a space flight,” she continues, “it’s about inspiring the next generation of explorers and dreamers, being bold, and embracing adventure in pursuit of learning and growing as a person.”

While the space flight doesn’t have a set date yet, it does have a guest list: Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn and Amanda Nguyen will be on the rocket, too.

“Each woman brings her unique life experiences and talents,” Sánchez says. “This mission represents a significant milestone for Blue Origin, as its 11th human flight and 31st overall for the New Shepard program.”

Her fiancé, Amazon chief Jeff Bezos, who also owns Blue Origin, was on the very first human flight for the company in 2021.

From left: Lauren Sánchez and Jeff Bezos attend the 2025 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

So … is she nervous?

“I think it’s natural to feel a little nervous,” she admits, not saying whether Bezos, 61, has given her any tips for the ride.

Mostly, though, she’s eager for what awaits way, way, way up in the sky.

“This is the chance of a lifetime,” she says. “I’m also incredibly excited about seeing our planet from space. They call it the Overview Effect for a reason. It’s a perspective that I believe will be truly life-changing for me, as it has been for others who have experienced this rare view.”

As for anything else she’s bringing along with her on the rocket ride, Sánchez says wait and see.

“I’ve got a few surprises up my sleeve!” she says. “And each one holds a special meaning.”