A Trump official slams Katy Perry and Blue Origin’s all-female crew amid growing claims that Jeff Bezos’ space flight was ‘fake.
A Trump official targets Katy Perry and her all-female crew after their Blue Origin space mission.
It fueled skepticism about the flight’s legitimacy and the term ‘astronaut.’
Blue Origin’s historic mission faces backlash from critics
Katy Perry’s suborbital space flight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard on April 14 drew significant attention, both positive and negative.
The pop star joined Blue Origin’s all-female crew, marking a historic moment.
However, it was only the second all-women crew to launch into space, following Valentina Tereshkova’s 1963 mission.
The crew included prominent figures like Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, and Aisha Bowe.
The mission, which launched from West Texas, saw the team float in the capsule, experiencing brief weightlessness.
However, doubts soon emerged regarding the authenticity of the flight.
Skeptics Question the Legitimacy of Blue Origin’s Flight
As soon as Perry and her team returned to Earth.
On social media, some skeptics began to question the entire mission. Conspiracy theories circulated online, with some suggesting the flight was staged.
Critics pointed out anomalies in the capsule, such as its pristine condition.
This contrasted with previous space capsules that had re-entered Earth’s atmosphere. One particular moment further fueled claims that the mission was fake.
It was filmed when a crew member opened the capsule hatch from the inside, before Bezos used a bar to open it from the outside.
One person said: Okay so why not go after Jeff bezo’s then since it was his space trip
A second wrote: We believe this. Also jake Paul beat up iron mike
While a third commented: We believe this. Also jake Paul beat up iron mike
Another added: The manikins and the door flop was bad lol
Where did the daisey come from outer space. Someone said.
Another user added: All of her plastic surgery would not do good in space.. lol.
Someone said: Can’t believe that they actually had to be told that they’re not ” astronauts ” !!
Donald Trump Official questions whether Perry can be called an ‘Astronaut’
Sean Duffy, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, also weighed in on the debate.
He critismed Perry and her crew for calling themselves astronauts.
He also argued that the crew lacked the necessary training and experience to be considered astronauts.
On X (formerly Twitter), Duffy wrote, “The last FAA guidelines under the Commercial Space Astronaut Wings Program were clear:
Crewmembers who travel into space must have ‘demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human space flight safety’.
“The crew who flew to space this week on an automated flight by Blue Origin were brave and glam, but you cannot identify as an astronaut. They do not meet the FAA astronaut criteria.”
FAA weighs in: Are suborbital flights ‘Space Flights’?
Duffy’s comments stem from the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) criteria for designating astronauts.
According to the FAA, astronauts must perform tasks critical to space safety during flight. However, the FAA does not designate anyone as an astronaut and does not define the exact boundary of space.
Suborbital flights, like Blue Origin’s mission, do not reach the necessary altitude or speed to be classified as full space flights.
It created ambiguity about what constitutes a true “space mission.”
Despite the criticism, Katy Perry and her all-female crew looked to enjoy their brief space journey.
Additionally, they demonstrated enthusiasm and excitement while floating in the capsule.
Their mission proved that Blue Origin’s space flight was a memorable experience for those involved. However, the technical and legal definitions of space exploration remain in dispute.