When Space Becomes a Playground: Why Katy Perry’s Rocket Ride Feels Out of Touch

In a world teetering on environmental crisis, economic instability, and widening social divides, the sight of celebrities floating weightless in space has become more than just a surreal image — it's a symbol of the times. When Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez were recently announced as passengers on a Blue Origin rocket, headlines exploded with enthusiasm. But for many, the spectacle felt hollow. Is space now just another stage for the ultra-wealthy to perform on?

Here’s how everyday people are reacting — and questioning — what space tourism really means for the rest of us.


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“They weren’t astronauts — they were guests.”

— Dan Stacey, London

Let’s be real — calling Katy Perry and Lauren Sánchez the "crew" of Blue Origin feels like a bit of a joke. It’s like saying I’m part of the flight crew just because I took a seat on a plane from Marrakech to London. These weren’t trained astronauts conducting scientific research or repairing satellites. They were guests, dressed up for a flashy joyride. It’s hard to see the point beyond the Instagrammable moments and clickbait headlines.

There’s something bizarre about space becoming another luxury destination — like the Maldives, only with less air and more PR.


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“In a world facing climate breakdown, it feels tone-deaf.”

— Chris Burr, Stoford, Somerset

I don’t mind Jeff Bezos treating his fiancée to something memorable, even if it’s a rocket ride. Love is personal, and who are we to judge? But when I think about the environmental cost of these trips, it’s hard not to feel uneasy. Rockets burn an immense amount of fuel, releasing carbon and particulates into the upper atmosphere — where the damage is even more long-lasting.

All for what? A few minutes of zero-gravity selfies? In an age where we’re being urged to recycle, drive less, and turn off our lights, billionaires are blasting off for kicks. It feels careless — and painfully out of touch.


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“Space tourism isn’t about adventure anymore — it’s about flexing privilege.”

— Toby Wood, Peterborough

We’ve entered a strange new era. The rich used to show off with luxury yachts or designer handbags. Now, they launch into space. Watching celebrities casually board spaceflights while people around the world are struggling to pay rent or afford groceries is unsettling.

It’s not about innovation anymore — it's about exclusivity. Space used to symbolize the future of humanity. Now it’s just another selfie backdrop for the elite. What message does that send to the rest of us?


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“Not everyone wants to live through a screen.”

— Max Tannahill, Wivenhoe, Essex

It’s not just space that feels taken over by tech-for-tech’s-sake. I flew recently and was surprised to learn I couldn’t get a paper boarding pass. Everything was mobile-only. But what if you don’t have a smartphone — or just don’t want to depend on one?

Older folks, people who don’t trust tech, or those who simply prefer human interaction — where do they fit into this hyper-digital world? Even poet John Cooper Clarke, who tours globally, doesn’t carry a mobile. Why should we be forced to live through screens just to participate in basic travel?


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“Simple kindness matters.”

— Name withheld

I was recently in the hospital receiving immunotherapy treatment. A difficult, emotional time — as anyone who's been through it can understand. The peace of the ward was suddenly shattered by a fellow patient taking a loud video call. No warning, no headphones — just voices echoing off the sterile walls.

It might seem small, but when you're vulnerable, little things feel enormous. It reminded me how much we’ve lost in terms of basic kindness and awareness. We’re so absorbed in our personal digital bubbles, we forget we’re still sharing space with others — on Earth or beyond it.


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Final Thoughts

Katy Perry’s rocket ride might be trending today, but it’s reflective of deeper issues in our culture — where wealth, technology, and spectacle are increasingly disconnected from reality. While the stars float above Earth for a few minutes, the rest of us are left with questions: Who is space really for? And are we losing sight of what truly matters down here?