Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin has faced criticism for its all-women trip to space, with some celebrities describing it as out of touch with global issues.
While therapy might seem pricey at a dollar per hour, Blue Origin’s spaceflight, featuring an all-women crew, makes it look affordable in comparison.
The mission, lasting only four minutes in space and 11 minutes in total, included a six-women team comprising Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez, marking the first all-female space crew since Valentina Tereshkova in 1963.
The price tag for this brief journey? According to Pocketmags, the cost ranges from $64 to $88 million per seat. Multiply that by six, and you’re looking at $384,000,000 to $528,000,000, not including additional expenses.
This substantial cost has prompted reactions from other celebrities.
During an April 3 episode of Today with Jenna and Friends, New Girl’s Olivia Munn questioned the purpose of the mission, as reported by Page Six.
She expressed: “I know this probably isn’t the cool thing to say, but there are so many other things that are so important in the world right now. I know this is probably obnoxious, but like, it’s so much money to go to space, and there’s a lot of people who can’t even afford eggs.
“What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous.”
Munn argued that ‘space exploration’ should aim to ‘further our knowledge and help humanity’.
“What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?”
Olivia Munn was not alone in her views. Comedian Amy Schumer also took to Instagram on the launch day to humorously critique the event.
Schumer jokingly told her followers via her story: “Guys, last second, they added me to space and I’m going to space. I’m bringing this thing, it has no meaning to me but it was in my bag and I was like on the subway and I got the text.
“[…] Thank you to everyone who got me here and I’ll see you guys in space.”
Referring to Perry, Sanchez, and Newam as her ‘guiding lights’ on the ‘journey,’ Schumer joked about the simplicity of naming ‘space’: “How high were the people who came up with the name for space. They were like, ‘What should we call it? There’s so much space’ And they were like, ‘That’s it.’
“That’s the best they could do? Space? But okay. I’m going there and I can’t wait.”
Director Olivia Wilde also shared her thoughts on Instagram, posting a meme featuring Perry with the caption: “Billion dollars bought some good memes I guess.”
Nonetheless, those who participated in the mission have defended against critiques.
King explained to People that ‘anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here’, highlighting the positive ‘response’ from ‘young women’ and ‘girls’.
She stated: “I get really fired up. I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don’t just work here but they put their heart and soul into this vehicle.”