NASA Rebuts Kardashian’s Moon Landing Doubts

Agency reaffirms Apollo missions amid resurfaced conspiracy claims

NASA has publicly responded after reality star Kim Kardashian suggested on her show that the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing was staged. In a recent episode of The Kardashians, Kardashian said she believed the mission was fictional, citing a video of astronaut Buzz Aldrin that she interpreted as proof. Her comments reignited a decades-old conspiracy theory that has circulated since the 1970s. The theory claims the historic broadcast watched by millions worldwide was fabricated.

NASA’s Response and Future Missions

Sean Duffy, U.S. Transportation Secretary and acting NASA administrator, quickly addressed Kardashian’s remarks on social media. He wrote that the United States has been to the moon six times, firmly rejecting the claim. Duffy also highlighted upcoming missions, noting that Artemis II is scheduled for 2026, with astronauts set to orbit the moon for ten days. A subsequent landing is planned for 2027, marking a new chapter in lunar exploration.

Duffy emphasized that America won the original space race and intends to succeed again. His comments reflect NASA’s broader effort to counter misinformation while promoting its future programs. The Artemis missions are central to U.S. plans for renewed human presence on the lunar surface. They also serve as preparation for longer-term exploration, including potential missions to Mars.

Buzz Aldrin’s Remarks in Context

Kardashian’s belief was based on a video of Aldrin, now 95, speaking at Oxford Union in 2015. During the event, he was asked about the scariest moment of the Apollo mission. Aldrin initially dismissed the idea, saying “It didn’t happen. It could have been scary,” meaning no frightening incident occurred. He later described a technical issue involving a faulty circuit breaker, clarifying that the mission itself was real.

The clip appears to have been taken out of context, leading to misinterpretation. Aldrin’s comments were not intended to deny the moon landing but to explain that no particularly terrifying moment occurred. Misuse of such footage has fueled conspiracy theories for decades. NASA has consistently maintained that the Apollo missions were genuine achievements.

Broader Impact of Conspiracy Theories

The resurfacing of moon landing doubts highlights the persistence of misinformation in popular culture. Public figures repeating such claims can amplify them to large audiences, complicating efforts to promote scientific literacy. NASA officials stress the importance of accurate communication about space history and future exploration. The agency continues to invest in outreach to counter false narratives.