Mastodawn

AkaSci 🛰️Apr 15, 2025

I am disappointed at the visceral negative reaction at the all-female crew of the Blue Origin NS-31 flight.

Granted not all of them are scientists or astronauts, but should we not admire or encourage female non-scientists? Granted some of them are rich good-looking celebrities, but they have a large young following. What's the harm if they spread some joy and science among the youth?

Have we become too cynical? Do we instinctively look for faults, esp. among women?

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-31-mission
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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Completes 31st Mission To Space | Blue Origin

Blue Origin successfully completed its 11th human spaceflight for the New Shepard program. The crew included Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sánchez.

Blue Origin

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AkaSci 🛰️Apr 15, 2025

Did we react in the same negative way to members of the previous 10 crew flights by Blue Origin? Many of them were men and/or wealthy and/or celebrities.

I am no fan of Bezos, but a competitive alternative to SpaceX is a good thing.

Let's aim our ire at the hundreds of SpaceX flights that litter our skies with satellites and that pollute our environment, both during launch and during reentry into the atmosphere.

And at the destruction of NASA, NOAA and HHS.

Let's sweat the big stuff.

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Urwumpe

@AkaSci I actually try to be positive about it. Of course its just an expensive version of a rollercoaster ride. Of course its only for the rich, but at least no longer for the richest. Of course its actually pretty conservative tech for spaceflight.

But I at least hope that this spurns some interest in space in groups that usually don't think much about it. But yes, I had more respect for Richard Garriot, who failed to become the first space tourist, but didn't give up.