Katy Perry’s recent venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere continues to spark debates among space enthusiasts regarding her eligibility for astronaut status. As The Lifetimes Tour commences in the UK today, fans of the renowned pop icon are divided on whether her brief space voyage places her in the league of iconic figures like Neil Armstrong and Yuri Gagarin.
The discussion has stirred intense conversations among the public, with critics proposing that Perry should be classified as an “astropassenger” rather than an “astronaut.” A passionate Reddit thread on r/Spaceflight has become a platform for heated debates about Perry’s space qualifications, following her brief space trip earlier this year.
Notable personalities such as Star Trek icon William Shatner and Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos have also explored space in recent times.
One Reddit user asserted: “Katy Perry is not an astronaut but an astropassenger. She recently journeyed into space on a Blue Origin rocket as part of an all-female crew, which operates autonomously. Such flights, often termed as space tourism, involve individuals as passengers rather than being part of the professional crew or engaging in scientific research as the primary objective.
“While the term ‘astronaut’ is occasionally used broadly, it typically denotes individuals who have undergone extensive training and are part of a space agency’s program, often engaged in piloting spacecraft, conducting scientific experiments, or fulfilling other mission-critical tasks. Perry’s flight was a suborbital experience focused on enjoying weightlessness and observing Earth from space, making ‘astropassenger’ a more appropriate designation in this context.”
Some argue that the term “space tourist” better describes Perry, while others advocate that “astronaut” should be reserved for those embarking into space for scientific purposes.
A critic contended: “Referring to celebrities or affluent individuals like Katy Perry as ‘astronauts’ post a brief suborbital journey with Blue Origin diminishes the significance of the title and undermines the commitment, risk, and professionalism of those who have earned it through years – if not decades – of strenuous training, education, and sacrifices.
“I am not opposed to the Blue Origin flights in any manner; anything that sheds light on the space domain is beneficial. Let’s accurately label them; thrill rides. They can be enjoyable, but riding a rollercoaster doesn’t make you a fighter pilot.”
Nevertheless, some believe that Perry does meet the criteria for an astronaut. They argued: “An astronaut is anyone who ventures into space. It used to be challenging, and the initial astronauts were deserving of respect because only the dedicated and hardworking could achieve it. Now it’s more accessible. Being an astronaut does not signify that you are deserving of anything. That’s acceptable. It’s the essence of the space program.
“The early aeronauts were all courageous, fearless, and inspiring. Now, anyone with $50 and a Ryanair/Spirit Airlines ticket is an aeronaut, and it holds no value.”
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