It was supposed to be a moment of triumph — six women, one spaceship, and history in the making. But as their feet touched the ground, a different kind of gravity set in.
On Monday afternoon, April 14, six high-profile women boarded a Blue Origin rocket owned by Jeff Bezoz and soared into space. Among them were singer Katy Perry, Bezoz’s fiancee, Lauren Sanchez, and Gayle King. The flight, widely publicized and branded as a historic moment for women in space travel, was a short suborbital trip.
But the return to Earth brought more than just applause. Social media lit up within hours, and criticism poured in. Many users questioned the purpose of the mission. For some, it felt disconnected from the issues grounded on Earth.
As headlines celebrated a symbolic breakthrough, a growing number of voices online began to echo a different sentiment — one of disappointment.
Hours after Blue Origin’s all-women crew returned from their brief journey to space, criticism flooded in from all directions. What was promoted as a milestone for representation in space travel quickly drew accusations of excess, privilege, and performative activism.
Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski was among the first to speak out. In a TikTok video, she questioned the purpose and symbolism of the launch.
Model and actress Emily Ratajkowski reacting to the six women sent to space from a video posted on April 14, 2025 | Source: TikTok/emrata
“That space mission this morning… it’s beyond parody,” she said. “You claim to care about Mother Earth, but then launch into space on a rocket built and funded by a company that’s actively destroying the planet?”
Her video quickly gained traction, sparking a wave of criticism. Many called the mission tone-deaf and out of touch with global realities. “So disappointing what people do with power and money,” one user wrote. Another added, “This isn’t empowering—it’s embarrassing.”
The backlash wasn’t just about optics. Critics questioned the enormous cost of the launch, especially when it was framed as a win for feminism. “They acted like this was progress, but the money spent sending them to space could have actually helped women here on Earth,” one post read.
Others pointed to the stark contrast between the mission and everyday struggles. “Nearly 14 million children in the U.S. face food insecurity every year,” someone wrote. “But sure—let’s cheer for billionaires playing astronaut while kids go hungry.”
Environmental concerns also loomed large. “A single rocket launch emits 200–300 tons of CO₂,” one commenter noted. “And for what—just a symbolic joyride?”
Criticism intensified on YouTube. “Hilarious that we’re celebrating multimillionaires buying seats to space from billionaires after we gutted NASA,” someone remarked.
Another viewer summed it up bluntly: “The Earth is sacred, but I guess if you’re rich enough, you can afford to ignore that. All that money, all that carbon—for a trip that changes nothing. Just another celebrity completely out of touch.”
Katy Perry kisses the ground after all-female space trip posted on April 15, 2025 | Source: YouTube/CBCTheNational
Public Backlash Overshadows Milestone Flight
Disappointment over the crew’s behavior during the flight quickly became a dominant theme online.
“Then Gayle acting so distressed even after — like girl, no one forced you to go up there,” one viewer posted. Another chimed in, “These people are so very tedious and self-involved.”
Others criticized what they saw as a missed opportunity for awe.
“So much time worried about the cameras around them instead of looking out at the world,” one user wrote. Another added, “Almost none of them is looking through the window — they’re glued to their phones. What a waste.”
Reactions on X were even more biting.
“Bunch of rich passengers floating around for two minutes… who cares,” one post read. Another declared, “Absolutely vile and disgusting.” A disappointed viewer added, “What a group of vapid, useless women. So concerned with filming themselves, they don’t even look out the window.”
Even the concept of representation drew fire.
“This is ridiculous,” one person said. “Why not send everyday people, not washed-up plastic people?” Some went as far as calling the mission a complete waste of resources.
A Mission Meant to Inspire
Before launch, the atmosphere was filled with anticipation and hope. Katy Perry documented her journey online, sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses leading up to the historic flight. “I’ve dreamt of going to space for 15 years, and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality,” she captioned in one video.
Blue Origin helped build the buzz. On Instagram, they posted a crew photo with the caption, “Welcome to West Texas, NS-31 crew!” Another post declared, “The NS-31 crew is certified ‘ready to fly to space’ by CrewMember 7 Sarah Knights. The launch window opens tomorrow at 8:30 a.m. CDT / 13:30 UTC.”
When the capsule reached space, the company shared a clip of the women floating inside, weightless and wide-eyed. “Weightless and limitless,” read the caption.
In the video, the crew laughed and held hands, eventually voicing the phrase: “Taking up space.” The moment was symbolic — an attempt to redefine who belongs in space, and what inspiration can look like.
Yet for many watching back on Earth, the visuals and slogans couldn’t compete with the wave of criticism that followed.
Meet the Crew: Six Women, Six Stories
Behind the headlines and controversy stood six accomplished women, each bringing a unique background to the mission. Blue Origin didn’t just assemble a symbolic team — they curated a group representing journalism, science, music, activism, entrepreneurship, and storytelling.
Lauren Sánchez, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and licensed helicopter pilot, brought both visibility and aviation experience. She founded Black Ops Aviation, the first female-owned aerial production company, and was inducted into the Vertical Flight Hall of Fame in 2024.
Katy Perry, global pop icon and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, joined as both a cultural figure and humanitarian. With over 115 billion streams and a mission to uplift underserved youth through the Firework Foundation, she embodied a mix of fame and purpose.
Amanda Nguyễn, Harvard graduate and bioastronautics researcher, previously contributed to NASA missions and the Kepler project. Her advocacy for sexual assault survivors led to a Nobel Peace Prize nomination and inclusion on TIME’s Women of the Year list.
Aisha Bowe, former NASA engineer turned entrepreneur, is the founder of STEMBoard and LINGO. Her journey — from community college to aerospace CEO — made her the first person of Bahamian descent to reach space.
Gayle King, beloved journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings, is known for her ability to navigate emotional terrain with clarity and empathy. As a SiriusXM host and Oprah Daily editor-at-large, she’s long been a champion for underrepresented voices.
Kerianne Flynn, a nonprofit leader and film producer, has spent the past decade advocating for gender equity. Her recent documentary LILLY (2024) honors equal pay activist Lilly Ledbetter, reflecting her passion for social change through storytelling.
While the mission aimed to elevate voices and break new ground, the public reaction made something else clear: the conversation around space, symbolism, and responsibility is far from over.
