Katy Perry’s brief journey into space aboard a Blue Origin rocket as part of an all-female crew sparked a wide range of reactions across Reddit, Twitter (X), Facebook, and other social platforms. The responses can be grouped into several major themes:
Criticism and Backlash
- Many users criticized the trip as wasteful and environmentally harmful, questioning the necessity of spending vast resources on a short suborbital flight for celebrities. Comments included phrases like “peak stupidity—spending money in the most Earth-damaging way possible” and “Private jets, this, that—so much carbon emissions. They’re insane”.
- Some called the mission a “publicity gimmick,” with Redditors and celebrities labeling it “disgusting” and “gluttonous”.
- There was skepticism about the value of the experience, with some users mocking the short duration (about 10 minutes) and questioning whether it truly counted as “going to space”.
- The Wendy’s corporate Twitter account joined in the mockery, tweeting “Can we send her back” in response to news of Perry’s return.
Memes and Humor
Many online users joked about the briefness of the flight and poked fun at the idea of celebrities “just stepping out of Earth for a bit”.
The event generated a flood of memes, especially around the nervousness of crew members before launch and Perry’s antics, such as kissing the ground upon landing and singing “What A Wonderful World” in space.
Environmental and Social Concerns
- A significant portion of the discourse focused on the environmental impact of space tourism, with users highlighting the carbon footprint of rocket launches and the optics of wealthy individuals spending lavishly on such experiences while global issues persist.
- Some expressed resentment at the exclusivity of space travel, noting that “most of us without money will just be left behind on a polluted Earth”.
Support and Inspiration
- Despite the criticism, a minority viewed the flight as a milestone for women in space, noting it was the first all-female civilian spaceflight since 1963.
- Some saw the mission as a way to inspire future generations or as a symbol of technological progress, though these views were less prominent amid the backlash.
Terminology Debate
- There was discussion on Reddit about whether Perry and her fellow travelers should be called “astronauts” or “astropassengers,” with most agreeing that the latter is more accurate since they were not operating the spacecraft or conducting scientific research.
Summary Table: Social Media Sentiment
| Theme | Example Reactions | Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Criticism/Backlash | “Gluttonous,” “wasteful,” “publicity gimmick,” “Can we send her back” | Reddit, Twitter |
| Memes/Humor | Jokes about trip duration, memes of Perry kissing ground, singing in space | Twitter, Reddit |
| Environmental Concerns | Complaints about carbon emissions, “Earth-damaging,” “rich people’s playground” | Reddit, Twitter |
| Social Inequality | “Most of us…will just be left behind,” resentment at exclusivity | Reddit, Twitter |
| Inspiration/Support | “First all-female flight since 1963,” inspiration for women | Twitter, Facebook |
| Terminology Debate | “Astropassenger” vs. “astronaut” |
Conclusion
The dominant tone on social media regarding Katy Perry’s space travel has been critical and mocking, with environmental, social, and economic concerns at the forefront. While a few found the mission inspiring or significant for women in space, most commentary focused on the perceived frivolity and exclusivity of celebrity space tourism, amplified by viral memes and corporate social media snark.