Acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy responded to skepticism expressed by reality television star Kim Kardashian regarding the authenticity of the 1969 moon landing. Duffy reaffirmed the legitimacy of NASA’s lunar missions and emphasized the agency’s ongoing efforts through the upcoming Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface.
Kardashian’s comments surfaced during a recent episode of her Hulu show. She questioned the historical event, suggesting that the moon landing might have been faked. In a post on X, Duffy directly addressed Kardashian, stating, “Yes, @KimKardashian, we’ve been to the Moon before… 6 times!” He highlighted NASA’s six successful manned missions between 1969 and 1972, conducted as part of the Apollo program.
Duffy, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Transportation, noted that the Biden administration has plans for future lunar missions. He stated, “And even better @NASAArtemis is going back under the leadership of @POTUS.” The Artemis program is tentatively scheduled for April 2026 and will carry four astronauts on a 10-day lunar flyby, marking the first time humans have ventured beyond Earth’s orbit since the Apollo missions.
During the episode, Kardashian discussed the conspiracy theory with actress Sarah Paulson. She referenced an interview with Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, in which conspiracy theorists have claimed Aldrin suggested that the landing “didn’t happen.” Kardashian recounted a moment from the interview where Aldrin responded to a question about the scariest moment of the mission with, “There was no scary moment, cause it didn’t happen.” While his answer can be interpreted in various ways, conspiracy theorists have seized upon it to support their claims.
The belief that the 1969 moon landing was staged has persisted for decades and gained traction with the rise of the internet. Various theories have emerged, including allegations that NASA collaborated with filmmaker Stanley Kubrick to create a fake landing on a sound stage. Some theorists argue that clues to this supposed deception can be found in Kubrick’s film “The Shining,” suggesting that specific imagery in the film alludes to the Apollo 11 mission.
Conspiracy theories surrounding the moon landing often aim to undermine public trust in significant historical achievements, suggesting that they are fabricated. In the context of these theories, some believe they may be part of broader psychological operations designed to create doubt within the populace.
The Apollo 11 mission, which took place in 1969, was a pivotal moment in the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Astronauts Neil Armstrong, Aldrin, and Michael Collins made history as the first humans to set foot on the moon, a feat celebrated worldwide.
As NASA prepares for its next chapter with the Artemis program, officials continue to emphasize the importance of science and factual evidence in addressing conspiracy theories. Duffy’s response to Kardashian underscores a commitment to transparency about NASA’s achievements and future goals in space exploration.