Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, and four other high-profile women rocketed away from Earth aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard yesterday, making headlines worldwide.
Eleven Minutes of Zero Gravity
The mission, dubbed NS‑31, lasted just 11 minutes but packed in plenty of thrills.
At 14:30 BST (09:30 local time), the booster ignited with 50,000 kg of thrust, hurtling the crew toward space.
Roughly two and a half minutes later, the booster peeled off, and the capsule coasted past the Kármán Line—66.5 miles (107 km) above Earth—granting everyone a taste of weightlessness for a few precious minutes.
A Star-Studded Manifest
On board were:
- Lauren Sánchez, former news anchor and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée
- Katy Perry, global pop sensation
- Gayle King, CBS Mornings co-host and author
- Kerianne Flynn, film producer and philanthropist
- Amanda Nguyen, civil rights activist
- Aisha Bowe, ex-NASA rocket scientist turned entrepreneur
After floating freely, the capsule re-entered the atmosphere, deployed three parachutes, and touched down gently near the Texas launch site—mission accomplished.
Conspiracies Take Flight
But as soon as the livestream went off, the internet went wild. Skeptics on X (formerly Twitter) accused Blue Origin of staging the entire event in a Hollywood studio.
“Worst CGI ever,” one user complained, while another insisted the women were actually submerged in water tanks to simulate weightlessness.
From Moon Hoaxers to Flat‑Earthers
These theories weren’t entirely new.
Moon-landing deniers saw familiar patterns, and flat‑Earthers declared space itself a sham.
One commenter wrote, “They’re selling us a lie—a literal Hollywood creation.”
Despite the live coverage by global media outlets, doubt spread faster than the rocket’s ascent.
The Satanic Twist
Things got even stranger when a faction claimed the flight was a satanic ritual.
Conspiracy hunters pointed to the NS‑31 mission patch, alleging hidden goat-headed symbols and upside‑down crosses.
“Katy Perry is a known Satan worshiper,” one theorist declared, while another wondered why it was an all‑female crew during Passover.
Why We Believe the Unbelievable
Experts say this blend of celebrity, space travel, and billionaire involvement creates a “perfect storm” for conspiracies.
Dr. Daniel Jolley of the University of Nottingham notes that space exploration and celebrity culture both spark wild theories.
Professor Karen Douglas of the University of Kent adds that uncertainty and the human craving for deeper explanations fuel the spread online.
Behind the Scenes: The Real NS‑31 Timeline
- 00:00 – Launch: New Shepard lifts off from Launch Site One, Texas.
- 02:40 – Booster Separation: The first stage returns for a powered landing.
- 03:30 – Crossing the Kármán Line: The capsule officially enters space.
- 07:30 – Booster Touchdown: The booster lands softly, ready for reuse.
- 11:00 – Capsule Landing: Parachutes deploy, and the crew returns safely.
What’s Next for Blue Origin?
With reusable rockets proving reliable, Blue Origin plans to continue its tourism flights.
Whether the next mission carries celebrities, scientists, or everyday adventurers, one thing’s certain: skeptics will be watching—and tweeting.