In a world where true heroism and historical moments are drowned in hyperbole, some would think that an 11-minute space jaunt by six celebrities was the pinnacle of human achievement. This lively drama featuring good old Earth celebrities like Gayle King and Katy Perry reached new heights—not in terms of actual altitude, but rather in its bloated significance. What was billed as a “historic flight” to space seemed more like a carefully scripted episode of reality TV. The enthusiasm, or perhaps bewilderment, reached such peaks that even Oprah Winfrey expressed pride, overwhelmed by the gravity of an 11-minute flight that took less time than a Spongebob episode.
To be fair, it’s always exciting when a group of people gets to do something out of the ordinary, like rocket into space. And for the participants, it was probably an unforgettable experience, something you’d tell over the family dinner table for many years to come. But was it a groundbreaking moment for women everywhere? The story these celebrities wove seemed to suggest that half of humanity was now free to conquer the cosmos. The truth, however, is that women have been heading to space since the 1960s, marking genuine milestones in the process.
What these celebrities achieved is essentially taking a pricey ride on a high-tech amusement park attraction, just one owned by a man who also owns an online shopping empire. Compare this adventure to real astronauts who spend days, months, or even years in space conducting vital research or who land on celestial bodies far from Earth’s warm embrace. It’s apparent that claiming this 11-minute adventure as historic pivots more on public relations than progress.
Then there’s the matter of Katy Perry’s conspicuous exuberance over the so-called historic nature of their trip. Her eagerness to claim a slice of the “first woman in space” narrative might be endearing to some but to those who value genuine accomplishments, it sounds much like the noise of a bandwagon rolling through town. And that’s assuming someone doesn’t realize women have already taken part in space expeditions for decades. So it’s less of a groundbreaking achievement and more of an interesting social out there.
But let’s not be too cynical; these flights could be seen as a testament to human creativity and capitalism, where innovation allows individuals to purchase tickets to the outer reaches. It could inspire others to explore scientific frontiers without overhauling the facts. While this strictly controlled foray into space may not be the historical jackpot it’s cracked up to be, perhaps the best takeaway is a reminder of the goals that still lie ahead—real historical moments that merit the shedding of genuine tears.
