Kim Kardashian sparked widespread debate on Thursday when she openly expressed skepticism about the 1969 moon landing during the latest episode of her Hulu series “The Kardashians,” prompting an immediate response from NASA officials who set the record straight about humanity’s historic lunar missions.
Kim’s Conspiracy Theory Claims
During a scene on the sets of her upcoming drama series “All’s Fair,” Kardashian was getting her hair and makeup done alongside co-star Sarah Paulson when the pair began discussing the historic Apollo 11 mission. The 45-year-old reality star and SKIMS founder confidently asserted that the 1969 moon landing was not real and attempted to convince Paulson of her theory.
“I’m sending you, so far, a million articles with both Buzz Aldrin and the other one,” Kardashian told Paulson, referring to Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, the two astronauts who became the first humans to walk on the moon. She went on to share video clips that she claimed provided evidence supporting her conspiracy theory, citing interviews with Buzz Aldrin as her primary source.
Questionable Evidence and Misinterpretation
Kardashian referenced specific quotes from Aldrin, claiming he had admitted that the moon landing never happened. She stated: “This girl says, ‘What was the scariest moment?’ And he goes, ‘There was no scary moment ’cause it didn’t happen. It could have been scary but it wasn’t because it didn’t happen.'” She further suggested that Aldrin’s advanced age had caused him to “slip up” and reveal the truth.
In a confessional interview with producers, Kardashian doubled down on her position, stating: “I don’t think we did. I think it was fake. I’ve seen a few videos on Buzz Aldrin talking about how it didn’t happen. He says it all the time now.” She additionally cited visual inconsistencies in lunar photos, questioning why the American flag appeared to be blowing and why no stars were visible in the photographs.
NASA’s Official Response
NASA’s acting administrator Sean Duffy took to social media platform X to address Kardashian’s claims with definitive facts. “Yes, @KimKardashian, we have been to the Moon before…6 times!” Duffy responded. He further emphasized NASA’s achievements in the space race and highlighted future ambitions.
Duffy also referenced NASA’s Artemis program, the space agency’s current initiative to return humans to lunar exploration. He stated: “And even better, @NASAArtemis is going back under the leadership of @POTUS. We won the space war and we will win this one too.” The acting administrator extended an invitation to Kardashian to witness the Artemis mission launch at Kennedy Space Center.
The Facts Behind the Conspiracy
Experts have long debunked moon landing conspiracy theories with scientific explanations. The flag that appears to wave in lunar footage was designed with a rigid aluminum arm specifically to remain unfurled in the absence of wind in space. The absence of stars in the photographs results from camera settings that could not simultaneously capture both the bright lunar surface and dim celestial objects. Additionally, the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has captured high-definition photos since the late 2000s showing the Apollo landing sites, including the Lunar Module descent stages and astronaut footprints. In 2012, NASA released images confirming that five of the six Apollo missions’ American flags remain standing on the moon’s surface.
Public Response and Ongoing Debate
While Kardashian’s moon landing skepticism has gained viral attention on social media platforms like TikTok, reputable scientists and astronomy experts continue to regard such conspiracy theories as pseudoscience. Kardashian acknowledged anticipated criticism, stating: “They’re gonna say I’m crazy no matter what but go to TikTok and see for yourself.”
The exchange between the reality star and NASA officials highlights ongoing challenges in combating misinformation, even when faced with overwhelming scientific evidence supporting one of humanity’s greatest technological achievements.
By – Sonali