Space Tourism: The Controversial 11-Minute Journey of Six Wealthy Women

In April 2025, Blue Origin's 11th flight took six wealthy women to space for an 11-minute journey. While billed as a milestone for women in STEM, this space tourism venture has sparked significant controversy and criticism.

The Passengers

The all-female crew included:

• Aisha Bo: Entrepreneur and former NASA rocket scientist
• Amanda Wyn: Civil rights activist
• Gail King: TV personality and Oprah's friend
• Katy Perry: Pop singer
• Kerianne Flynn: Documentarian
• Lauren Sanchez: Jeff Bezos's girlfriend

Controversy Surrounding the Flight

Exploitation of Women in STEM

Many critics have pointed out that labeling this flight as a triumph for "women in STEM" is misleading and exploitative. None of the passengers actually flew the rocket or conducted scientific research. As one critic noted:

"Labeling this as 'women in STEM' really makes a mockery of all the women who have actually trained to go to space, of all the women who have done research and science and dedicated their lives to learning."

The attempt to frame this as an inspirational event for girls interested in science has been called cynical and out of touch. Katy Perry's statement that she hoped to "make space and science glam" was particularly criticized as trivializing the real challenges women face in STEM fields.

Environmental Concerns

Space tourism ventures like Blue Origin have faced harsh criticism for their environmental impact. Critics argue that launching wealthy tourists to space for brief joyrides is wasteful and damaging to the planet. As one commentator put it:

"This is literally cooking the planet so rich people can pretend to be astronauts."

The juxtaposition of this extravagant venture against pressing environmental and social issues on Earth has struck many as tone-deaf.

Publicity Stunt Accusations

Many have dismissed the flight as a publicity stunt by Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin to make space tourism seem more palatable. The all-female crew and emphasis on women in STEM is seen by critics as a cynical attempt to deflect criticism of space tourism as an indulgence of the ultra-wealthy.

As one observer noted: "Jeff Bezos, not a dumb dumb, he knows this is a bad look, but he also wants money. So what if instead he makes it look like he's just sending women up?"

Questionable Use of "Astronaut" Label

There has been significant pushback against labeling the passengers as "astronauts" after an 11-minute flight where they were essentially passive tourists. Critics have compared it to calling someone a pilot just for flying in an airplane, or an expert tracker for participating in a guided safari hunt.

The use of the term "astronaut" is seen as diminishing the achievements of trained professionals who have dedicated their lives to space exploration and research.

Passenger Reactions and Criticism

The passengers' reactions and statements after the flight have drawn further criticism and mockery:

• Katy Perry said she felt "super connected to love" and sang "What a Wonderful World" during the flight.
• Gail King described feeling like she "could do anything" after the 11-minute journey.
• Lauren Sanchez said she returned "humbled" and now has "an urge to protect this planet."

Many found these reactions overblown and out of touch given the brevity of the experience. The emphasis on personal transformation from such a short flight struck many as absurd.

Broader Context and Implications

Wealth Inequality

The flight has been held up as a stark example of wealth inequality, with critics comparing it to Marie Antoinette's "let them eat cake" attitude. At a time of economic hardship for many, the spectacle of wealthy individuals spending millions on brief space joyrides has struck a nerve.

Environmental Priorities

Critics argue that the resources poured into space tourism could be better spent addressing pressing environmental issues on Earth. The contrast between Bezos's space ventures and Amazon's environmental record has been highlighted.

Women's Rights

Some have pointed out the irony of celebrating this flight as a win for women while women's rights are under threat in many areas. The passengers have been criticized for participating in this publicity event without addressing more substantive issues facing women.

Science and Education

There are concerns that conflating space tourism with scientific achievement could undermine public understanding of space science and exploration. Critics worry it promotes a shallow view of science as spectacle rather than rigorous research.

Conclusion

While Blue Origin framed this flight as a milestone for women in space, the overwhelming public reaction has been critical. The 11-minute journey of six wealthy women to space has become a lightning rod for debates about wealth inequality, environmental priorities, and the commercialization of space.

As space tourism ventures continue, they are likely to face ongoing scrutiny and criticism. This flight has highlighted the need for more nuanced conversations about the value and ethics of private space exploration in the face of pressing terrestrial challenges.

Ultimately, this controversy speaks to broader tensions between technological ambition and social responsibility in an age of stark inequality and environmental crisis. As we look to the stars, many are asking whether we're neglecting critical issues on the ground.

Article created from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WtyGK7TdCs