FAA finally exposed Blue Origin and Bezos Lied About Their Recent New Shepard Launch!...

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is rewriting the rules of space travel, but in a weird way. With their latest NS31 mission, Bezos has proven that anyone, yes anyone, can become an astronaut. And we're not just talking about professionals who joined SpaceX's risky Crew Dragon missions. The key? A hefty bank account to cover the steep cost of a ride aboard Blue Origin's Now, this might raise some eyebrows, especially with the FAA giving its stamp of approval. But not everyone agrees with that. In fact, the head of the department overseeing the FAA has his own concerns. And if that wasn't enough, there's even a growing accusation that the entire NS31 flight may have been faked, adding even more fuel to the fire of this already controversial mission. So, what's really going on with Blue Origin's latest space venture? Stick around for all the details in today's episode of TechMap. Good news for all those who want to be honored as astronauts without the need to go through the grueling training process. The FAA no longer defines whether people who fly on suborbital flights are astronauts. In addition, the federal agency does not define where space begins. That means you just need money, a lot of money, to take part in a joyride for the elite aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard. Afterwards, you will be listed on the FAA's website and be recognized to reach space. That's exactly what happened to the six women who recently participated in the controversial New Shepard spacecraft mission, NS31. More notably, on the FAA's list, philanthropist Lauren Sanchez, the fiancée of Bezos, singer Katy Perry, and others aboard NS31 are listed alongside astronauts from NASA's SpaceX Crew 9 and 10 missions and SpaceX's Fram 2 mission. So, what the hell is going on? In 2004, the FAA created a commercial astronaut wings program for the crew who flew the vehicle above 50 statute miles, 80 kilometers. But the program stopped in December 2021. Instead of issuing wings, the FAA will recognize individuals who reach 50 miles in altitude on its website. With the advent of the commercial space tourism era starting in 2022, the Federal Aviation Administration will now recognize individuals who reach space on its website instead of issuing commercial space astronaut wings. Any individual who is on an FAA-licensed or permitted launch and reaches 50 statute miles above the surface of the Earth will be listed on the site. That explains why people like Katy Perry or Bezos' fiancée are placed on par with the true astronauts in SpaceX's Crew Dragon risky missions, given the FAA's requirements. For some, that's enough to earn the astronaut title. But not everyone agrees. U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy has a different view. The last FAA guidelines under the commercial space astronaut wings program were clear. Crew members who travel into space must have demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety or contributed to human spaceflight safety. While acknowledging the crew was brave and charming, he argued they shouldn't be called astronauts. Why? Because they didn't meet the FAA's previous standards, back when the agency still awarded commercial astronaut wings. Under those older guidelines, astronauts had to contribute to the safety of spaceflight. And according to Duffy, the NS-31 passengers didn't do that. Also, Duffy highlights that the New Shepard flight is an automated flight. This implies that the passengers do not perform key roles or activities related to spacecraft control or safety, unlike professional astronauts or even commercial crews in the past. Then there's the training. NASA astronauts spend years preparing for missions. NASA astronaut training is considered one of the most rigorous and demanding preparation programs in the world, requiring years of intense physical and mental effort to prepare candidates for the challenges of space missions. To even be eligible, applicants typically need at least a master's degree in a STEM field, medicine, or a related discipline, with many possessing doctorates or extensive professional experience in high-stakes environments like aviation, engineering, or scientific research. The selection process is highly competitive, emphasizing technical skills, problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and emotional resilience. Once accepted, astronauts must maintain peak physical condition through strenuous cardiovascular strength and endurance training to combat the effects of microgravity, such as muscle and bone loss. They are also trained to manage the psychological stresses of isolation, confinement, and prolonged missions. In addition, they must master complex technical systems, from spacecraft operations and robotics to emergency procedures, often spending countless hours in simulators that replicate real mission scenarios. Facilities like the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory allow them to practice spacewalks underwater, simulating the weightlessness of space. Survival training prepares them for emergency landings in harsh environments, while international collaboration necessitates language skills, especially Russian. Overall, astronaut training demands an extraordinary level of academic achievement, physical fitness, psychological resilience, and technical expertise, all to ensure astronauts are prepared for the unpredictable realities of space exploration. But passengers on suborbital flights like NS-31? They complete a short training session after buying a ticket. Except for two people, including Aisha, a former NASA rocket scientist, and Amanda Nguyen, who conducted research at NASA, the rest lack experience in the relevant field. So crazy, right? Some former NASA astronauts are with calling these new flyers astronauts, but the difference in preparation is hard to ignore. More ridiculously, Blue Origin argues that their spacecraft crosses the Kármán line, 100 kilometers above Earth, which they say sets them apart, whereas their competitor reaches an altitude of 80 to 90 kilometers. Blue Origin's Jeff Bezos has even suggested that failing to cross the Kármán line could result in an asterisk next to the rival's customer's name when it comes to astronaut titles. In this way, Jeff Bezos has taken the definition of space and turned it into a cosmic puzzle that's harder to solve than a Rubik's Cube in zero gravity. On the other hand, some in the aerospace community have a more straightforward explanation. The term astronaut, at this point, isn't quite right. These are paying customers, tourists, adventurers. So simple, they aren't trained professionals on a mission. Space tourist doesn't carry the same weight, does it? Of course, we also acknowledge that a billionaire like Jeff Bezos isn't foolish enough to confuse space tourists with professional astronauts. After all, you don't become one of the richest people on Earth by mistaking your Uber passenger for a NASA pilot. Perhaps that's the real story here. To some, labeling these passengers as astronauts isn't about precision. It's about perception. When high-profile names step aboard, it becomes less of a mission and more of a media moment. The spotlight, after all, is part of the package. So here we are. The FAA no longer defines astronauts. NS31's crew is listed on the FAA's site, along with SpaceX Dragon's astronauts, just for reaching 50 miles. But they didn't operate the spacecraft, didn't train like professionals, and didn't meet past safety criteria. Are they astronauts? Or are they tourists? What do you think? Should crossing a certain height be enough? Or does the title astronaut still mean something more? Let us know in the comments. And the questions surrounding NS31 go beyond defining whether the participants were astronauts or tourists to the authenticity of the mission. You heard right. A spacecraft launches. It reaches space. It lands. The crew steps out, smiling for the cameras. But what if someone told you it was all fake? That's the question swirling around Blue Origin's NS31 flight, as a wave of online speculation gains traction. From AI-generated imagery to door-opening drama, critics have pointed fingers. The concerns start with the visuals. Some viewers claim the footage looks too polished, maybe even generated by AI or CGI. Then there's the landing. According to skeptics, the capsule's descent seems too smooth. So smooth, in fact, that it raises doubts. Could a landing like that really happen without causing injury? And finally, the moment that caught everyone's eye. A person inside the capsule opens the door before Jeff Bezos arrives with tools in hand. If this was a dramatic, welcome-home scene, why did it look so staged? But let's look at the counterpoints. First, the AI claims. The footage has been analyzed using AI detection tools. The results? Very low. Just 0 to 5 percent. That suggests the video is not AI-generated. Then the landings. This wasn't Blue Origin's first flight. It was the 11th. The capsule uses a special airflow-based system to absorb the shock, resulting in two audible jerks that soften the final impact. Now about that door. Yes, someone inside the capsule opens it before Bezos arrives with a tool. But that doesn't mean it was fake. This could have been part of a standard testing process, likely involving communication checks and entry-exit rehearsals by the crew inside. Then there's the theory that sticks with people. Was the door moment just for the cameras? Some believe Bezos' dramatic appearance with the tool was more about public relations, a carefully crafted photo-op. Especially since this flight was highlighted for its all-women crew and what many saw as a politically correct milestone. But even those who suggest it was PR say that doesn't mean the flight was fake. It means the event was used to promote the company, something not uncommon in today's space race. So, was the flight fake? Or are we witnessing a new kind of space travel, one wrapped in branding, symbolism and media? The footage passed AI testing. The landing system checks out. The door moment may have a routine explanation. And this wasn't a one-off. Blue Origin has flown multiple missions. In the end, the questions may say less about space flight and more about how we watch it. What do you think? Is it smoke and mirrors? Or space and science? Drop your thoughts in the comments below. Let's talk. On Monday, April 14th, Blue Origin successfully completed its 11th human space flight for the New Shepard program, featuring an all-female crew. The suborbital mission lifted off from Launch Site 1 in West Texas, lasting about 11 minutes. New Shepard launched with Blue Origin's RSS Kármán line space capsule, carrying Perry alongside crew members Gail King, Lauren Sanchez, Aisha Bowe, Carrie-Anne Flynn, and Amanda Nguyen. The whole flight offered the NS-31 passengers about four minutes of weightlessness as their capsule arced above the Kármán line. The internationally recognized boundary of space that resides at an altitude of 62 miles 100 kilometers. Though their time in space was short, all six stepped away from the experience feeling a serene sense of awe and humble amazement. It is the highest high, and it is surrendered to the unknown. Trust, Perry said after landing. Each crew member brought an assortment of small items with them to space, including individual zero-g indicators, which are used to signal that a spacecraft has reached microgravity when they begin floating around the cabin. Did you know that the woman who inspires me the most is Sally Ride, the first American woman to travel to space? I've always admired how she broke through gender-based barriers in the astronaut selection process, showcasing her technical and professional skills in what was largely a male dominated field. When she applied to NASA in 1977, women had only recently been allowed to become astronauts. Prior to that, NASA required candidates to be military test pilots, a role that was not open to women at the time. In fact, during congressional hearings, well-known astronauts like John Glenn and Scott Carpenter argued that women shouldn't be sent to space due to their lack of military flight experience. But Sally Ride proved them wrong. With a physics degree from Stanford and years of rigorous training, she flew aboard the Challenger shuttle on June 18, 1983, and operated the robotic arm to deploy and retrieve satellites, clearly demonstrating her technical prowess. Later, she played an integral role in NASA's investigations of the Challenger and Columbia disasters and became a passionate advocate for inspiring young women to pursue careers in science and space exploration. Her journey opened the door for future generations of women in space. Today, private companies like Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin are trying to carry that torch further. One example is the recent New Shepard mission, NS31, which featured an all-female crew. However, instead of being celebrated as a landmark moment for young women, the mission was met with criticism, being described by some as end-time stuff and beyond parody. I'm going to tell you something right now. You are officially an astronaut. Thank you so much. How do you feel? I feel super connected to love, so connected to love. I think this experience has shown me you never know how much love is inside of you. The crew included celebrities like Katy Perry, Gayle King, and Jeff Bezos' fiancée, Lauren Sanchez. Dressed in spacesuits for a brief 11-minute flight, they made headlines as the first all-female crew to reach space. But compared to what NASA veterans like Sally Ride had to endure, the path seems remarkably smoother for today's space travelers. So, what makes someone an astronaut? According to the FAA, commercial launch crew members had to both meet specific requirements for flight crew qualifications and training, and fly above a 50-mile-80-kilometer altitude on an FAA-licensed or permitted vehicle. But on July 20, 2021, the same day that Blue Origin launched its crewed suborbital mission, using the New Shepard vehicle, the federal agency added new criteria to its short list of qualifications. With the new change, those who fly on commercial space missions must also have demonstrated activities during flight that were essential to public safety, or contributed to human spaceflight safety. That rules out most space tourists. Now, about NS-31. NS-31 was a short suborbital hop, about 11 minutes including just a few minutes in microgravity. While it marked the first all-female crew for Blue Origin, it wasn't a scientific mission or part of any long-term exploration goal. The participants didn't train like traditional astronauts, operate the spacecraft, or perform mission-critical tasks. They were mostly public figures and celebrities. So, were they astronauts? It sounds like you get into an airplane and someone calls you astronauts, pilots, or something like that? Perhaps the only basis that Blue Origin relies on is that its customers went above the Kármán line, 100 kilometers, the international boundary of space. So, by some definitions, yes, they went to space. But culturally and professionally? Many argue that they were space tourists, not astronauts. For short, the title of astronaut carries weight, training, service, science, and risk. Blue Origin's NS-31 passengers don't match those traditional expectations. While they may hold the bragging rights of having gone to space, calling them astronauts can understandably feel like a stretch to many professionals and the public. In contrast to Blue Origin's crew, the crew members on missions like SpaceX's crew Dragon's Fram 2 and Polaris Dawn can definitely be considered real astronauts by both modern and traditional standards. First and foremost, these missions are usually long-duration flights to orbit, not suborbital joyrides. Therefore, they involve intensive astronaut training, often in collaboration with NASA. For example, the Polaris Dawn crew engaged in over two years of rigorous training starting from May 2022, including centrifuge operations, hundreds of hours of SpaceX Dragon capsule simulations, skydiving, survival training, high-performance aircraft piloting, zero-gravity flight training, altitude training, classroom academics, and medical testing. They received extensive extravehicular activity, EVA training, both underwater and suspended operations, along with associated medical training, preparing them for the mission's historic commercial spacewalk. The crew also trained in fighter jets through Draken International, diving and skydiving with U.S. Air Force Academy, and spent time in decompression chambers at NASA's Johnson Space Center. The training was described as more intense than anything experienced by some crew members, emphasizing teamwork development and adapting to new EVA suit designs developed by SpaceX for this mission. Notably, two of the Polaris Dawn crew members, Sarah Gillis and Anna Menon, have direct NASA experience, with Menon having worked as a biomedical flight controller for the International Space Station, and Gillis responsible for training NASA astronauts for SpaceX missions. These are things that are hard to find in the preparation phase for fun journeys aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard spacecraft. The FRAM-2 crew training is not exceptional as well. The FRAM-2 crew underwent over eight months of training, including numerous simulations and emergency preparedness exercises, in preparation for their mission to orbit Earth's poles, a flight path never before flown by humans. Their training included rehearsals of launch day activities and mission simulations, ensuring readiness for the unique challenges of polar orbit and the scientific experiments planned. While FRAM-2's training details are less elaborated than Polaris Dawn's, the mission involved collaboration with SpaceX and likely incorporated NASA protocols, especially given the scientific nature of the experiments and the use of NASA facilities like Kennedy Space Center for launch. The FRAM-2 crew includes experienced explorers with backgrounds in polar expeditions, and their training focused on conducting 22 scientific experiments related to human health and space environment research, which aligns with NASA's research interests. In addition, private missions such as FRAM-2 or Polaris Dawn have also made significant contributions to human spaceflight, aligning with the FAA's requirement of activities during flight that were essential to human and public safety in spaceflight. The high-risk, experimental Polaris mission featured the first commercial spacewalk, testing SpaceX's newly designed EVA suits. These suits underwent extensive development and testing, including hyperbaric chamber trials and simulations, to ensure astronauts' safety despite lacking a traditional primary life support system backpack. The mission developed new operational procedures and contingency plans to mitigate risks such as micrometeorite impacts and exposure to the sun, enhancing EVA safety protocols for future commercial and governmental missions. The crew passed through parts of the Van Allen radiation belts, exposing them to radiation doses equivalent to about 20 years of Earth-based exposure within a few hours. This provided critical data on the health effects of space radiation on humans, informing safety measures and shielding requirements for future long-duration missions beyond low-Earth orbit, including lunar and Mars exploration. Throughout the mission, the crew conducted nearly 40 scientific experiments focused on human physiology and microgravity, including advanced medical monitoring. These studies contribute to understanding how spaceflight affects the human body, improving medical protocols and emergency preparedness for astronauts, which directly enhances crew safety. SpaceX and the Polaris Dawn team implemented rigorous safety drills and contingency responses for all mission phases, including launch orbit, EVA and re-entry. The mission emphasized communication transparency and iterative safety reviews, reflecting a high standard of risk management that benefits the broader commercial spaceflight industry and public confidence in space travel safety. Last but not least, by pushing the altitude record for crewed spacecraft to 870 miles and successfully returning the crew safely, Polaris Dawn demonstrated the viability of higher-risk missions with robust safety measures. This sets a precedent for future commercial and scientific missions, expanding human spaceflight capabilities while maintaining safety. Meanwhile, the FRAM-2 mission contributed to human and public safety, primarily through its scientific research and operational achievements in a novel polar orbit. FRAM-2 was the first human spaceflight mission to enter a polar orbit, flying over both the North and South Poles. This expanded the understanding of spacecraft operations and human factors in a unique orbital environment, which is important for future missions that may require diverse orbital paths for Earth observation or deep space transit safety. The crew conducted 22 scientific experiments focused on human health and microgravity, including monitoring hormone levels using urine strips, sleep quality tracking with wellness rings, and studying space-induced motion sickness. These studies provide valuable data on how humans respond to spaceflight conditions, improving medical protocols and safety measures for astronauts on long-duration missions. The mission included photographing auroras and studying Earth's polar regions from orbit, contributing to environmental and space weather knowledge that can impact satellite operations and public safety on Earth. FRAM-2 demonstrated the capability of safely launching, operating, and returning a crewed spacecraft in a which requires more fuel and precise navigation. The successful splashdown off the California coast marked SpaceX's first West Coast recovery, showcasing operational flexibility and enhancing public confidence in commercial spaceflight safety. After splashdown, there was a test to assess the ability of astronauts to exit the Dragon capsule without assistance. This was a key objective of the mission, aiming to understand how astronauts might egress spacecraft on future missions, including those to the Moon and beyond, where on-site recovery teams might not be immediately available. Not only does it have scientific significance, but FRAM-2 also has educational significance for the public. Through the onboard amateur radio system and the FRAM-2HAM competition, the mission engaged students and the public in space science, fostering awareness and interest in space safety and exploration. In summary, unlike the NS-31's crew, both FRAM-2 and Polaris Dawn crews train like astronauts, work like astronauts, and face risk like astronauts. So yes, they've earned the title. So what's your take? Do you share the same thought with me? Let me know in the comments. The NS-31 mission marks the 11th human spaceflight for the New Shepard program. The astronaut crew included Ayesha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Carrie-Anne Flynn, and Lauren Sanchez, who brought the mission together. Including the April 14th mission's crew, New Shepard has now flown 58 people to space, including four people who have flown twice.