Katy Perry Faces Backlash Over ‘Ultimate Insult’ to NASA Astronauts Stranded 9 Months in Space
Katy Perry Faces Backlash for Ground Kiss After 11-Minute Space Flight
Katy Perry sparked outrage this week after kneeling to kiss the ground following her brief Blue Origin spaceflight, with critics calling the gesture tone-deaf compared to NASA astronauts’ recent ordeal. The singer’s 11-minute suborbital joyride, which included just three minutes of weightlessness, drew sharp contrasts to astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were stranded on the International Space Station (ISS) for 286 days due to spacecraft malfunctions.
Public Outcry Over “Insult” to NASA Astronauts
Social media erupted with criticism, as users condemned Perry’s celebratory act. “Katy Perry kissing the ground after 11 minutes in space is a joke compared to what Sunita and Butch endured,” one Twitter user wrote. Williams and Wilmore, initially scheduled for an eight-day mission, faced extended stays due to Boeing’s Starliner capsule issues. Their return on March 18 left them frail and requiring medical attention, starkly contrasting Perry’s lively post-flight demeanor.
[Image: Perry kissing the ground post-flight with caption: Katy Perry’s celebratory gesture after her brief Blue Origin mission sparked backlash.]
Celebrities and Brands Join Criticism
Model Emily Ratajkowski called the flight “end-time s**t,” while actress Olivia Munn criticized its excess: “People can’t afford eggs, but billionaires are joyriding to space.” Fast-food chain Wendy’s quipped, “Can we send her back?” under a photo of Perry’s ground kiss.
Blue Origin’s NS-31 Mission Details
The flight, launched from Texas, carried six passengers: Perry, Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, CBS host Gayle King, and others. The autonomous New Shepard rocket reached 62 miles altitude before parachuting back. Despite being dubbed “astronauts” post-flight, critics noted the crew lacked official status, as they didn’t pilot the craft.
[Image: NASA astronauts Williams and Wilmore being stretchered post-landing with caption: Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore required medical care after 9 months in space.]
Astronaut vs. “Space Traveler” Debate
Public frustration centered on disparities between Perry’s “stunt” and NASA’s scientific missions. “What did Perry contribute? Real astronauts risk their lives,” a user tweeted. Others highlighted Williams and Wilmore’s sacrifices, including prolonged microgravity effects like muscle atrophy and vision issues.
[Image: Meme mocking Perry’s short flight with caption: Social media memes ridiculed the 11-minute mission as a publicity stunt.]
Final Reactions
While Perry touted her daisy carried to space, critics emphasized the divide between billionaire-funded escapades and astronauts’ rigor. As debates over “astronaut” titles continue, the incident underscores growing scrutiny of space tourism’s purpose amidst real exploration challenges.
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