A recent all-female space flight has sparked criticism over sexism, waste, and the value of celebrity involvement in space exploration. The mission, led by Jeff Bezos’s wife MacKenzie, was seen as a publicity stunt rather than a groundbreaking achievement.
Author Ursula K. Le Guin once argued that an older, experienced woman would be the ideal candidate to represent humanity on a space mission. She believes that this “crone” has a depth of experience and understanding that no young, fit individual can match.
However, Blue Origin’s recent flight, which included actress Katy Perry, was not seen as representative of humanity but rather a symbol of who is chosen as representatives of our species. Critics argue that the mission was pointless and wasteful, especially considering the environmental damage caused by the short journey into space.
In contrast to this celebrity-driven space exploration, there are more powerful narratives about engineers and scientists who made this trip possible through their design and operation of the craft. Some have even suggested that a crewed mission could be used to solve Earth’s current problems, such as overpopulation, by providing extra boost for the rocket to break out of Earth’s gravitational field.
While some have criticized the cost and environmental impact of space travel, others argue that it is necessary for human progress. The recent Blue Origin flight has sparked a debate about the value of celebrity involvement in space exploration and whether it detracts from more meaningful achievements in science and engineering.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/apr/20/blue-origin-all-female-spaceflight-brought-down-to-earth