Katy Perry’s recent suborbital journey on Blue Origin’s New Shepard has sparked wild conspiracy theories, with skeptics claiming the entire mission was staged using a mannequin with a “fake hand.” The viral “fake hand” image being shared is actually from a 2017 test flight featuring a mannequin, not the recent mission. The mission carried six women, including Perry and Gayle King, on an 11-minute suborbital flight. Skeptics questioned why the capsule hatch opened from inside before Jeff Bezos could open it externally.
The “Fake Hand” Conspiracy Explained
Social media users have been circulating what they claim is evidence that Katy Perry’s Blue Origin flight was staged. The primary “evidence” is an image purportedly showing a mannequin with an artificial hand inside the spacecraft. This viral image has fueled theories that the mission was filmed in a studio using CGI effects rather than actually sending humans to space. However, fact-checking reveals the image in question is from a 2017 test flight of the New Shepard capsule that used a test dummy nicknamed “Mannequin Skywalker”—not” from Perry’s recent mission.
The conspiracy theorists have ignored clear differences between the 2017 test capsule and the mission, including different interior colors and lettering. Despite these obvious discrepancies, the theories continue to circulate online, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), where users readily share and amplify these claims without verification.
Something is definitely wrong with the Blue Origin “Space Flight”…
Social media users are asking, where are the re-entry burn marks? And why does that look like a fake hand?
lol this world is so crazy pic.twitter.com/YoxHSyYwSG
— Whiplash347 (@Whiplash437) April 16, 2025
The Hatch Incident Fuels Skepticism
Another element feeding conspiracy theories was footage showing the New Shepard capsule’s hatch being opened from the inside before Jeff Bezos could open it from the outside after landing. This moment was seized upon as supposed evidence of staging. However, spacecraft experts note this is a standard safety feature. NASA confirms that all spacecraft hatches are designed to be operable from both the inside and outside specifically to prevent crew members from becoming trapped during emergencies.
Celebrity reactions have further fueled conspiracy narratives. Rapper Azealia Banks publicly questioned the mission’s legitimacy on social media, focusing on its brief duration. Blue Origin’s suborbital flights typically last only about 11 minutes from launch to landing, with just 3-4 minutes of actual weightlessness at the edge of space, a fact that confuses those unfamiliar with suborbital spaceflight versus orbital missions.
Conspiracy theorists seize on Blue Origin door gaffe – claim it's 'proof' that the mission was FAKE pic.twitter.com/AmBEZnvasf
— ▄︻デʀօɮօȶ քօʟɨֆɦɛʀ═══━一 (@RobotPolisher) April 17, 2025
The Psychology Behind Space Conspiracies
Space mission conspiracy theories are nothing new – the moon landings have faced similar skepticism for decades. Psychologists suggest these theories often emerge when people feel uncertainty or lack of control, providing simple explanations for complex events. The Blue Origin mission, which carried an all-female crew including celebrities Katy Perry and Gayle King, garnered significant media attention, making it a natural target for conspiracy thinking.
Despite the theories, substantial evidence confirms the mission’s authenticity. The flight was live-streamed to millions of viewers worldwide, documented by multiple independent sources, and followed the same trajectory and timeline as previous Blue Origin missions. The six passengers on board, including Perry, have consistently described their experiences in interviews following the flight. No credible evidence has emerged to suggest the mission was anything other than authentic, despite the persistent online rumors claiming otherwise.
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