Blue Origin Door Gaffe Fuels Space Tourism Skepticism

A viral video showing Blue Origin’s capsule door being opened from the inside moments before Jeff Bezos ceremoniously unlocked it from the outside has ignited a firestorm of conspiracy theories about the authenticity of the company’s latest space tourism mission. The momentary gaffe during the all-female crew’s return to Earth has raised questions about the carefully choreographed nature of commercial space tourism, according to The Sun.

The crew, which included pop star Katy Perry and Jeff Bezos’ fiancée Lauren Sanchez, had just completed their journey to the edge of space when the incident occurred. In the footage, the capsule door can be seen briefly opening from the inside before being quickly shut, only to be reopened minutes later by Bezos using what appeared to be a specialized tool.

“It was fake. The girls opened the door to begin with from the inside with no tools. They then waited a few minutes, and Jeff Bezos stepped up with some sort of tool and acted like he unlocked the latch,” one online commenter noted, capturing the sentiment of many skeptics.

Photo Source: Askarimullin/Depositphotos

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Space Experts Defend Mission Authenticity

Space experts have been quick to dismiss the most extreme conspiracy theories while acknowledging the apparent staging of the door opening. According to NASA safety protocols established after the Apollo 1 disaster, spacecraft hatches must be operable from both sides, with requirements specifically stating “doors shall be operable by a single crew member in no more than 60 seconds, from both sides of the hatch,” as reported by Daily Mail.

The more likely explanation for the rushed closing of the door was simply that the crew had inadvertently spoiled a planned photo opportunity showing Bezos welcoming them back to Earth. This suggests the incident reveals more about the theatrical nature of space tourism than any fundamental questions about whether the flight actually reached space.

Dr. Daniel Jolley, an expert on the psychology of conspiracies from the University of Nottingham, explained why such incidents trigger suspicion: “Space is vast, complex and largely inaccessible to most people—in this context, it becomes easier for some individuals to question the official narrative.”

Suborbital Flight vs. Deep Space Missions

Many conspiracy theories have focused on technical details that distinguish Blue Origin’s suborbital flights from more intensive space missions. Online skeptics have pointed to the capsule’s clean exterior and inward-opening door as supposed evidence of fakery.

“The capsule looks like it’s an inflatable tent and the only footage they showed was the ‘weightlessness’ part, which you can achieve in a plane,” wrote one commenter, highlighting a common misconception about suborbital flights.

Space experts note that these differences are easily explained by the mission’s limited scope. The New Shepard capsule reached a maximum altitude of 66.5 miles (107 km), just barely over the Kármán Line, the official boundary of space at 62 miles above Earth. At this altitude, the craft experiences significantly different conditions than vehicles traveling to higher orbits.

“Since it barely left the atmosphere, the capsule’s return to Earth doesn’t create the heat of a typical re-entry burn that would scorch the exterior,” explained aerospace engineer Melissa Chen, who was not affiliated with the mission. “The pressure differential is also much less extreme than in deep space missions, allowing for different hatch designs.”

Celebrity Factor Amplifies Conspiracy Narratives

According to Mirror, the involvement of celebrities like Katy Perry has further intensified public scrutiny and skepticism. The singer was captured on video experiencing weightlessness and holding up a daisy she brought to honor her four-year-old daughter, who was present at the launch site.

Professor Karen Douglas, an expert on conspiracy theories from the University of Kent, explained: “Psychological research suggests that people are attracted to conspiracy theories when one or more fundamental psychological needs are frustrated. The first of these needs are epistemic, related to the need to know the truth and have clarity and certainty.”

The Blue Origin mission marked the 11th human flight for the New Shepard program, which has now taken 52 people to the edge of space. Despite the viral door incident, there’s little doubt among experts that the rocket did indeed reach space as claimed.

Nevertheless, the episode serves as a reminder of the growing pains facing the commercial space industry as it attempts to balance authentic space exploration with the entertainment value expected by paying customers and public spectators.

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