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Celebrity Spaceflight Under Fire: Katy Perry and Blue Origin Mission Sparks Outcry
Social media users have strongly criticized pop star Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos’ space exploration company, Blue Origin, following their recent space launch. Critics are labeling the mission a mere “joyride for the super-rich,” questioning its purpose and value beyond entertainment for wealthy individuals.
All-Female Crew’s Journey to Space
Perry, along with Lauren Sanchez, and four other individuals, embarked on an all-female space mission aboard Blue Origin’s rocket earlier today. The crew of six experienced approximately 11 minutes of spaceflight, reaching an altitude of 62 miles (100 kilometers), successfully crossing the Karman Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space.
Mission Branded a ‘Publicity Stunt’
Despite the successful voyage, numerous online commentators have dismissed the endeavor as “ridiculous” and suggested it was primarily a “publicity stunt.”
Dr. Gareth Dorrian, a space scientist from the University of Birmingham, shared his perspective with MailOnline, stating, “Let’s be honest about what this is and not deceive ourselves into thinking it meaningfully contributes to science or space exploration. I still believe these flights are essentially just pleasure trips for the super-rich.”
Debate Over ‘Astronaut’ Designation
While Katy Perry and her companions technically entered space, the assertion by Blue Origin that they are now “astronauts” has been met with skepticism. On social media platform X, one user commented, “They’re not astronauts…. I think real astronauts would be offended by that. They’re celebrities sat on their bums.”
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Mission Details: Blue Origin NS-31 Launch
Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission took off from the company’s Launch Site One, situated roughly 30 miles north of Van Horn, Texas, at 14:30 BST (09:30 local time).
Crew Manifest: Who Was Aboard?
The flight included prominent figures such as:
- Lauren Sánchez: Jeff Bezos’ fiancée and former news anchor
- Katy Perry: Globally recognized pop icon
- Gayle King: Co-anchor of CBS Mornings and author
- Kerianne Flynn: Film producer and philanthropist
- Amanda Nguyen: Civil rights advocate
- Aisha Bowe: Former NASA rocket scientist and entrepreneur
The New Shepard rocket propelled the capsule to the edge of space at nearly twice the speed of sound. Following detachment, the crew experienced a brief period of weightlessness as the capsule traversed the Karman Line, officially entering space from Earth’s atmosphere.
Subsequently, the capsule commenced its descent back to Earth, with parachutes deploying, eliciting excited reactions from the passengers.
A mere 11 minutes after launch, the New Shepard capsule made a safe landing near the launch platform where Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos awaited to greet the returning crew.
Public Skepticism and ‘Glorified Amusement Park Ride’ Claims
Despite Blue Origin’s promotion of the all-female mission as a landmark event in spaceflight history, widespread public agreement was lacking. On X, critics voiced their disapproval, with one remarking, “They spent like 30 seconds in space. It’s not much more than a glorified amusement park ride.”
Further criticism highlighted the brief duration of the space experience. One online post read: “It’s just a glorified carnival ride with an escape system and parachutes and tailored outfits/seats. It’s a PR stunt, if anything.”
Celebrity Participation Draws Ire
The inclusion of celebrities like Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez particularly fueled public frustration. Online discussions reflected this sentiment, with comments such as, “When space turned into a vanity project for celebrities, we lost the plot.”
Another user sarcastically remarked, “Katy Perry and Gayle King being launched into space while publicly stating they are bringing the ‘ass back in astronauts’ and ‘makeup/glam is important for the mission’ is some kind of Black Mirror parody.”
The perceived frivolous nature of the mission was further emphasized by comments like, “Going to space for a publicity stunt is insane. And she’s already a millionaire, like there’s no reason for her to do this,” and “For what reason does Katy Perry need to go to space?”
Expert Analysis: Mission Misses the Mark
While Blue Origin may have aimed to broaden its appeal to women, experts suggest the selection of passengers might have been counterproductive. Professor Louis Brennan, a specialist in the commercial spaceflight industry, explained to MailOnline, “Blue Origin is owned by Jeff Bezos, one of the wealthiest individuals globally, and billionaires are not currently enjoying widespread public favor.”
Professor Brennan added, “Although space billionaires discuss the democratization of space, the makeup of this crew does not represent a socio-economic cross-section of society. Consequently, it is understandable why many perceive this as just another vanity undertaking for the ultra-rich.”
Wastefulness Concerns Raised
The perceived extravagance of the project also drew criticism regarding resource allocation. One social media user pointed out, “Yet again, millionaires and billionaires demonstrate their complete detachment from the real world. The funds Blue Origin is burning for 11 minutes could have addressed real-world needs.”
‘Astronaut’ Title Sparks Debate and Discontent
The most significant point of contention among critics revolved around Blue Origin’s insistence on referring to the passengers as “astronauts.” Although technically crossing the Karman Line qualifies the crew as having entered space, thereby potentially earning the title of astronaut, many social media users vehemently disagreed.
Critics argued that bestowing the title of “astronaut” on these individuals diminishes the accomplishments of professional astronauts who undergo years of rigorous training to conduct vital scientific research in space.
One particularly incensed commenter wrote, “These women going up in Blue Origin are celebrities going for a 10-minute RIDE in low orbit. They are not astronauts or a ‘crew’. In fact, calling them that is an insult to all prior women astronaut women scientists.”
Further reinforcing this view, another social media user stated, “All Paying Passengers, no trained crew on board. So like flying on an Airline, they do not become Pilots or Astronauts.” Another added, “There are female astronauts…they are highly accomplished women in sciences and military aviation.”
Blue Origin’s 11-Minute Mission Timeline
Launch (00:00)
- Blue Shepard rocket launches from Blue Origin Launch Site One near Van Horn, Texas, at 14:30 BST (09:30 local time).
- The engine combusts liquid hydrogen and liquid helium, generating 50,000 kg of thrust, accelerating the rocket to approximately twice the speed of sound.
- Passengers experience three times the force of gravity during booster acceleration.
Booster Separation (02:40)
- The booster detaches, propelling the crew capsule into space before returning to Earth.
- Without booster thrust, the capsule enters freefall, inducing weightlessness for passengers.
- Occupants enjoy approximately two to four minutes of weightlessness at the capsule’s trajectory apex.
Capsule Enters Space (03:30)
- The capsule surpasses the Karman Line at 62 miles altitude.
- This boundary marks the altitude where atmospheric flight becomes unfeasible, requiring rocket propulsion.
- The Karman Line serves as a space boundary, although significantly below the International Space Station’s orbit (around 190 miles/305km).
Booster Landing (07:30)
- The booster autonomously navigates back to Earth, executing a controlled landing.
- Utilizing residual fuel, the booster decelerates to roughly 6 mph (9.7 kmph) for a gentle touchdown.
- This reusability enables the rocket for up to 25 missions.
Capsule Return (11:00)
- The capsule descends toward Earth as gravity returns, passengers resume seated positions.
- Three parachutes deploy to slow descent, ensuring a soft landing within driving distance of the launch site.