Conspiracy Theorists Cite Blue Origin Door Gaffe as Definitive Proof Katy Perry’s Mission Was Fake

Katy Perry’s Blue Origin Space Mission Sparks Conspiracy Theories Over Door Gaffe

A recent Blue Origin spaceflight featuring pop star Katy Perry and an all-female crew has ignited online conspiracy theories after a bizarre moment during the capsule’s landing. Footage showed the hatch briefly opening from the inside before being shut, only for billionaire Jeff Bezos to later “reopen” it with a tool. Skeptics called it “proof” the mission was staged.

[Image: The crew appears to open the door from inside the capsule before closing it.]
Caption: The crew opened the hatch from inside moments after landing, sparking claims the mission was fake.

The NS-31 mission, launched on April 14, carried six women, including Perry, Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sánchez, and CBS host Gayle King. After an 11-minute flight to the edge of space (66.5 miles altitude), the capsule landed in Texas. However, clips of the door mishap went viral, with critics arguing pressurised spacecraft doors shouldn’t open inward.

[Image: Jeff Bezos “reopens” the hatch with a tool minutes later.]
Caption: Bezos’ staged door-opening fueled theories the event was scripted.

Why Conspiracy Theories Took Off
Social media users claimed the door’s design and lack of reentry scorching were suspicious. Experts, however, explain that Blue Origin’s suborbital capsule operates differently from deep-space vehicles. The New Shepard barely crosses the Kármán line (the space boundary), so its reentry doesn’t generate extreme heat. NASA also mandates hatches be openable from both sides for safety, debunking claims the door should only open externally.

[Image: Pristine capsule after landing.]
Caption: Theorists questioned the capsule’s clean exterior, unaware suborbital flights avoid intense reentry heat.

Psychologist Dr. Daniel Jolley noted space’s inherent mystery and celebrity involvement create a “perfect storm” for conspiracies. “People distrust narratives they can’t easily verify,” he told MailOnline. Meanwhile, satanic panic emerged online, with users alleging Perry’s mission patch hid occult symbols.

[Image: Mission patch accused of containing hidden satanic imagery.]
Caption: The crew’s patch was falsely linked to “Baphomet” imagery by conspiracy theorists.

The Reality of the Mission
The NS-31 launch followed Blue Origin’s standard suborbital profile:

• 2.5 minutes of intense acceleration (3x gravity).
• 4 minutes of weightlessness at peak altitude.
• Parachute-assisted landing 11 minutes after liftoff.

[Image: New Shepard launch from Texas.]
Caption: The mission launched from Blue Origin’s Texas site, reaching space in under three minutes.

Professor Karen Douglas, a conspiracy theory expert, explained such beliefs thrive when official explanations feel incomplete. The door incident, combined with Bezos’ celebrity status, left room for doubt. Yet, the mission’s success was confirmed by standard telemetry and eyewitnesses.

While the theories persist, the likeliest explanation for the door gaffe? The crew simply exited too early, spoiling Bezos’ planned reveal. As space tourism grows, experts warn such incidents will continue to fuel speculation—proving truth remains stranger than fiction.

[Image: Crew celebrating post-landing with Bezos.]
Caption: The NS-31 crew safely returned, but the door drama overshadowed their milestone.

In Brief: Blue Origin’s NS-31 Mission

• Crew: Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Gayle King, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Kerianne Flynn.
• Altitude: 66.5 miles (just past the Kármán line).
• Duration: 11 minutes from launch to landing.
• Key Fact: Capsules designed for quick exits post-landing, per NASA safety rules.

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