On 14 April 2025, Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-31 mission lifted off from Corn Ranch in West Texas, marking what many hailed as a historic moment: the first all-female crewed mission to space since Valentina Tereshkova’s groundbreaking solo flight in 1963. But amid the celebration, the mission has also sparked debate over the true accessibility and purpose of commercial space travel in the modern era.

The suborbital flight, lasting approximately 10 minutes and 21 seconds, carried six women aboard—a diverse group comprising former NASA aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, journalist Gayle King, pop superstar Katy Perry, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and pilot and broadcaster Lauren Sánchez, who is also the mission’s curator. The spacecraft soared beyond the Kármán line—106 kilometres above Earth—offering the crew a few weightless minutes before descending safely back to Earth under parachutes.

Each crew member brought with her a distinct narrative. Bowe became the first Bahamian in space; Nguyen, a Nobel Peace Prize nominee and advocate for sexual violence survivors, made history as the first Vietnamese-American woman in space. King overcame her well-documented fear of flying, Perry brought international celebrity attention to the launch, Flynn championed the role of women in film and storytelling, and Sánchez leveraged her aviation experience to coordinate the mission’s message of empowerment.

Once weightless, the crew declared, “Take up space,” as a unifying slogan, with Perry serenading the cabin with “What a Wonderful World.” Their flight was attended by a host of celebrities, including Oprah Winfrey, who celebrated King’s participation, and Orlando Bloom, Perry’s partner.

What Did This Mission Really Accomplish?

While Blue Origin lauded the flight as a milestone for representation and inspiration, critics have questioned its actual significance. Unlike orbital missions that conduct scientific experiments or contribute to space station logistics, NS-31 was purely touristic—lasting barely over ten minutes. The mission did not carry research payloads, technological tests, or humanitarian goals beyond symbolism.

For some, the symbolism is meaningful—showcasing diverse women in a domain long dominated by men. For others, it’s a reminder that space, at least for now, remains the playground of the ultra-wealthy. With tickets costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, the average citizen is far from “taking up space” in any literal sense. Even among private citizens who’ve travelled to space, most come from elite circles of wealth, influence, or celebrity.

Backlash and “Tone-Deaf” Optics

The presence of Katy Perry on the mission drew particular scrutiny—not only because of her fame, but due to a post-flight moment that quickly went viral. Upon exiting the capsule, Perry was seen kissing the ground. While intended to be a gesture of gratitude, it was widely criticised online as performative and out of touch. Many on social media argued that her behaviour trivialised the accomplishment and reflected a lack of awareness of broader global issues, including poverty, war, and climate crises.

Actress Olivia Munn added to the critique, calling the mission “indulgent” and “tone-deaf” given the world’s current struggles. She questioned whether such ventures truly serve humanity or merely stroke the egos of those wealthy enough to afford a seat.

The controversy surrounding Perry also reignited debates about the optics of celebrities participating in what are framed as inspirational missions. While the intention may be to democratise space, the reality—obvious to many observers—is that access remains limited to those with the right bank account or connections.

A Step Forward or a Missed Opportunity?

Despite the criticism, the NS-31 mission remains notable for its emphasis on gender representation and public visibility. It proved that female-led missions can capture global attention and inspire a new generation of space enthusiasts. But whether that inspiration translates into real progress toward inclusive access to space remains to be seen.

For now, missions like NS-31 exist in a grey zone—caught between progress and privilege. While they undeniably advance the visibility of women in spaceflight, they also highlight the economic exclusivity still inherent in the sector. Until tickets are accessible to scientists, educators, and citizens without celebrity or corporate backing, the dream of universal space travel remains aspirational, not actual.

As Blue Origin prepares for its next flight, the world will be watching—both to see who gets to go, and what they choose to do with their moment among the stars.

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has once again found himself at the center of a global controversy following a gesture he made during President Donald Trump’s inauguration ceremony on January 20, 2025.

The event, held in Washington, D.C., was attended by numerous influential figures, but it was Musk’s actions that quickly stole the spotlight and ignited heated debates worldwide. During the event, Musk, seated prominently alongside other high-profile guests, gestured to place his hand over his heart and extend his arm outward toward the audience.

While the action seemed benign to some, others were quick to draw comparisons to historical gestures associated with authoritarian regimes, particularly the infamous Nazi salute. Musk’s gesture came as Trump addressed the crowd, discussing his plans for “a bold new era of American leadership.”

While Musk did not address the crowd directly, cameras captured his action clearly, and the footage quickly went viral on social media platforms, sparking a wave of speculation.

Musk’s Response and Public Reaction

As speculation mounted, Musk responded to the controversy on X (formerly Twitter), the social media platform he owns.

“The gesture was meant as a simple sign of respect and acknowledgment to the audience,” Musk wrote. “Any other interpretation is baseless and entirely incorrect.” He also defended his presence at the event, stating, “I believe in engaging with all sides of the political spectrum to ensure the future of innovation and progress.” However, Musk’s explanation did little to quell the storm, as critics and supporters alike dissected his actions and motives.

The reaction to Musk’s gesture has been polarized. Critics accused him of signaling support for authoritarian ideologies, particularly given the controversial nature of Trump’s policies during his previous administration. Social media platforms were flooded with hashtags like #MuskSalute and #TeslaBoycott, with many users demanding clarification or an apology.

Conversely, Musk’s supporters defended him, arguing that the gesture was taken out of context. “This is just another example of people overanalyzing everything Elon does,” tweeted one user. Others pointed to Musk’s history of unconventional behavior and public statements, suggesting that the gesture may have been an ill-conceived attempt at humor or symbolism.

Germany’s Sharp Criticism

In Europe, the reaction was particularly strong, with Germany leading the criticism. The country’s historical sensitivities regarding any gestures or symbols associated with Nazism made the incident especially contentious.

Major German newspapers, including Der Spiegel and Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, published editorials condemning Musk’s actions as “deeply inappropriate” and “shockingly tone-deaf.” Chancellor Greta Weiss, addressing reporters in Berlin, expressed her concern. “Regardless of intent, such actions carry heavy connotations, particularly in Germany, where we are committed to combating the resurgence of far-right ideologies,” she stated.

The incident has also sparked discussions in Germany’s Bundestag, where some members called for reevaluating Tesla’s operations in the country. Tesla’s Gigafactory in Brandenburg, a critical hub for its European production, has been a point of pride for Musk, but the backlash has led to calls for increased scrutiny of the company’s activities.

Meanwhile, activists and historians in Germany have used the controversy as an opportunity to emphasize the importance of educating global figures about the weight of historical symbols and gestures. “This should serve as a reminder that cultural awareness is not optional for leaders with global influence,” said Dr. Klaus Reinhardt, a historian specializing in World War II studies.

Impact on Tesla and SpaceX

The controversy has also had significant implications for Musk’s companies, Tesla and SpaceX. Tesla’s stock price saw a sharp dip in the days following the inauguration, losing nearly 8% of its value as investors reacted to the backlash. Many analysts attributed the decline to fears that Musk’s actions could alienate environmentally conscious consumers, who form a substantial portion of Tesla’s customer base. Tesla’s Gigafactory in Brandenburg has been a key asset in the company’s European expansion, but local protests against the factory have intensified in the wake of the controversy. Critics in Germany are now questioning whether Musk’s actions align with the ethical standards the country strives to uphold.

SpaceX, too, faced criticism, with several NASA officials reportedly expressing concerns about Musk’s ability to separate his political views from his leadership of the company. The backlash could potentially jeopardize SpaceX’s contracts with government agencies, although no official statements have been made. As the dust begins to settle, it remains unclear how the controversy will impact Musk’s long-term reputation. Whether the backlash from Germany and other countries will translate into tangible consequences for Tesla and SpaceX remains to be seen.

What is certain, however, is that Musk’s every move will be scrutinized more closely than ever before.

In his book “Orientalism”, Palestinian literary scholar Edward Said explained Orientalism as the belief in Western superiority over the East. This belief is perpetuated by Western society as a foundation for creating theories, narratives, social descriptions, and political assessments about the East—its people, customs, mentality, and destiny. Western societies, through this philosophy, promote the idea that Arab communities are savage, uncivilized, and pose a threat to the West.

Said pointed out that Orientalism began during the European Enlightenment and the colonization of the Arab world. It provided justification for European colonialism based on the notion that the East was fundamentally different and inferior, thus requiring Western intervention or “rescue.” Given that art plays a significant role in spreading cultures, ideas, and ideologies, the West has long used films and songs to reinforce stereotypes and propagate Orientalist culture.

Western films and advertisements have portrayed a racist view of the East, presenting it as “the other” that cannot be equal to the West. These media types often depict Arabs as terrorists or tyrants, portray Arab women as either terrorists or sexual objects, and present veiled and niqab-wearing women as oppressed and submissive.

Orientalism in the Silver Screen

Disney’s Aladdin (1992)

The song “Arabian Nights” from the Aladdin soundtrack describes the protagonist’s homeland as a place where “they’ll cut off your ear if they don’t like your face,” depicting it as barbaric but still “home.” After backlash regarding the lyrics, the song was altered in the 2019 remake, removing the offensive line.

Iron Man Series – 2013

In the first Iron Man film, actor Faran Tahir challenged the Islamophobic narrative by changing the portrayal of the kidnappers of Tony Stark from a group of Muslim terrorists to a band of international mercenaries. However, in Iron Man 3, the storyline shifted focus to a terrorist threat named “The Mandarin” based in Pakistan. The scene depicted a group of veiled women working in a sewing factory, and Iron Patriot remarks, “Yes, you’re free, if you weren’t before… No need to thank me.” Yet one of these veiled women turns out to be a terrorist hiding her identity under the veil, reinforcing negative stereotypes about Muslim women as both oppressed and dangerous.

American Assassin (2017)

Described by author Opheli Lawler as “ a film that pairs American exceptionalism with American imperialism masked as spreading democracy”, American Assassin is about a young CIA agent seeking revenge after his loved ones are killed by terrorists. It portrays Arabs as the primary source of terrorism and weapons of mass destruction, thus promoting “Islamophobia” (fear or prejudice against Islam and Muslims, especially as a political force).

Positive Representations in Hollywood

While most films with Arab elements promote Orientalist views, a few exceptions present more realistic portrayals of the Arab world. Kingdom of Heaven provided an accurate historical context of Jerusalem, and Victoria and Abdul conveyed a humanitarian message without bias.

Commercializing Stereotypes

IKEA’s 2012 Saudi Arabian Catalog:

In 2012, IKEA faced criticism for removing images of women from its Saudi Arabian catalog. The same scenes in international versions included women, highlighting a significant alteration for the Saudi market. The images below shows a side-by-side comparison of the international catalog (left) featuring a woman, and the Saudi Arabian version (right) where the woman has been removed.

Coca-Cola’s 2013 Super Bowl Advertisement

Coca-Cola’s 2013 Super Bowl ad employs orientalist imagery by featuring an Arab man dressed in traditional attire leading a camel through the desert. This portrayal relies on outdated and stereotypical visuals of the Middle East as a barren, timeless landscape inhabited by mysterious and primitive figures. The ad’s depiction reduces Middle Eastern identity to a simplistic and exoticized trope, ignoring the modernity and diversity of the region.

Final Remarks

In examining these films and advertisements through the lens of Orientalism, it becomes evident how media continues to shape—and often distort—our perceptions of the Arab world. While some works are now beginning to reject outdated tropes and offer more nuanced perspectives, the entrenched stereotypes remain pervasive. Challenging these portrayals and advocating for authenticity is crucial for dismantling Orientalist narratives and embracing a more inclusive global culture.