Earlier this week, Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, sent another number of space tourists on a suborbital flight on a New Shepard rocket. But this time it wasn’t the technological breakthrough that drew attention, but the crew: six famous women, including singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King and Bezos’ bride Lauren Sanchez. However, instead of support, the 11-minute flight by a female crew has caused a storm of outrage, becoming the main scientific and social discourse of recent days.
After only two days of training, the participants were given the status of “astronauts,” which was cause for irony. Critics note: the flight had no scientific value, becoming just another PR stunt by Blue Origin. “It’s like an expensive photo shoot against the background of space,” noted one commenter on social media.
Fighting the Fake News with Facts:
That Blue Origin flight with Katy Perry and other women did not really go to space like the media is portraying. They didn’t actually experience micro gravity either.
Yes, technically the rocket delivered passengers beyond the Kármán line,… pic.twitter.com/QIc8wKDGFC
— David Pollack (@DavidPollackUSA) April 16, 2025
The participants, however, insist on the symbolism of the mission. “We open up space for future generations of women,” said Sanchez, who reached the Karman Line on a rocket designed, according to her, by “people with a big heart.” Gayle King added: “Every letter from girls who wrote ‘I want this too’ is a collective victory for us. Haters won’t steal our joy.”
Society vs. suborbital glamor
The public reaction was less optimistic. Actress Olivia Munn was ironic on Instagram: “A billion dollars could fund climate research instead of posting selfies on social media.” Comedian Amy Schumer has turned in her ticket to space after going public, recalling the real problems on Earth.
Space unlocks a view that shifts your perspective forever.
On April 14, Blue Origin successfully completed its 11th human spaceflight for the New Shepard program. pic.twitter.com/RusR5GdnLX
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 16, 2025
Model Emily Ratajkowski called the flight a “disgusting stunt,” emphasizing: “While oligarchs play astronaut, millions struggle to survive.” Educator Nina Turner compared Bezos’ spending harshly, “His rocket costs as much as a year’s worth of medical treatment for millions of Americans.”
Does glamor have a place in space?
Despite the criticism, Blue Origin continues to popularize tourist flights. Analysts remind us: suborbital travel is still a luxury of less than 1% of people on the planet, and its contribution to science is minimal, if not non-existent. “It’s like the first car rides: expensive and without benefit, but over time the technology becomes more accessible to everyone,” comments space expert Michael Lopez-Alegria.
However, questions remain: does symbolism justify millions of dollars in expenses? Will space become a new field for celebrity shows? So far, the answers look more like a philosophical debate than a scientific discussion. But one thing is clear: while billionaires enjoy short jumps into the stratosphere, real explorers of the Moon or Mars will sacrifice themselves for the modest salary of an ordinary civil servant.
According to people.com
