It was doomed from the start. That much is clear.
Not that it would fail, technically, mind you - but as a public relations standpoint- it was a total misread of public opinion.
I will start by saying this- if someone says "Hey Greg, you want to take a quick ride to the edge of space, and you won't have to pay a cent, or do anything - AND the craft has done it safely" - I'm going. Who wouldn't. I highly doubt that most people would say - "No, please give the money spent on the less fortunate". Sorry, but that's most likely accurate.
Having said that- I didn't expect the explosion of bad PR that resulted in it. People bitching about celebrity culture and billionaires, how better the money could be spent, and how people who have worked in the space program deserved a trip before a pop singer. All legit points. I get it.
Funny how they didn't scream that when Shatner or Michael Strahan went up, right?
But once America saw two things, everything shifted. Once they saw Katy Perry get out and kiss the ground- the whole thing seemed less serious, I mean -really? That's like kissing the ground after you get out of Space Mtn at Disney. And given the big story line was how "inspiring" this would be for all women, if left people thinking - "Really? How so?
And the second thing was when someone called them "Astronauts". BZZZZZZZZZZZ. Wrong answer! They are not. It was a ride. That's it. A very expensive ride. Don't come back (Gail), and chastised people who said "you aren't astronauts" with - "Have YOU ever been to SPACE???".
That hit the wrongest note of all. So, in the days that followed, people unloaded. Hell, even Wendy's Restaurant's got in the game, tweeting a pic of Katy Perry kissing the ground with the caption- "Can we send her back?". Ouch. Katy Perry is getting the worst of it. If you don't like her - that's one thing- but you can't blame her for going! Like I said - Hell, I'D GO! I actually feel bad for her! Did she over sell the importance of it? Maybe. But i have no doubt that being up there and seeing the earth from up there would probably change me too.
Again, I'm not against the flights, and thought it was cool to have an all female flight. They screwed up with the message, and then overstepping on the landing with the "HAVE YOU BEEN TO SPACE?" quip.
Then - came THE DOOR CONTROVERSY. We all saw it. The door to the "capsule" opened towards the inside minutes after landing, before part of the land team quickly had the riders shut it. Then, moments later Amazon owner Jeff Bezos plays hero of the day by opening the hatch by turning a giant wrench into it. Yeah, the same door that was easily opened from the inside- like a mini van - just moments before.
So that set all the International Federation of the Tin Foil Hat Society off to the races!!! FAKE!! HOAXXXXXXX! FAKE NEWS!!! LIES!!!!!
<sigh> Christ, here we go again! Yeah- so they wanted theatrics at the very end- big deal! But- the thing blew up to a full on "HOAX" conspiracy thread all over the internet! Heres one of the stories
Yeah. I'm sure. The whole flight was a HOAX. Probably filmed on a soundstage in Jersey next to the Deadliest Catch, right?
CMON PEOPLE!
And here's another guy for ya!
Do you honestly think the people involved in staging a hoax of that size would keep their MOUTH SHUT? NO way in hell! Jeez, If I knew it was fake, I'd be singing about it to the media if they offered me a Blizzard from DQ!
I get that the news media is f***ked. You never know what is real or what isn't - because 24 news channels became opinion channels. You almost can't believe anything you see or read anymore. But still - not EVERYTHING is a friggin HOAX!!!! For god sake- yes the opening of the door is a gaffe in the scripted protocol, but to suggest that the whole thing was staged-is pure ignorance. That would have been exposed without question - for someones financial benefit! I know it's hard to believe- but not EVERYTHING in the news is fake!
For the love of God, stop watching the internet chat sites and conspiracy videos and get out of the basement and go OUTSIDE!
Check out this family who made a song about the whole thing- a new version of Katy Perry's "Fireworks"
The bottom line is - nowadays - no matter WHAT you do, or the reason for which you do it - SOMEONES GONNA HATE IT, and HATE YOU FOR IT. I don't get it, and I never will. Some of the criticism is certainly warranted and legit- and the news media distorts stories to fit their needs or beliefs - but some the conspiracy theories out there are clearly from planet Lunatic.
Here endeth my rant. Now leave me alone long so i can grab a box of Cheez Its