Instagram “astronaut” or influencer illusion? NASA pushes back on viral space claim
Brazilian influencer Laysa Peixoto claimed she’s a “Class of 2025” astronaut with Titans Space, sparking controversy. NASA denied ties, raising questions about her credentials and influencer marketing in general.
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Brazilian influencer Laysa Peixoto claimed she’s a “Class of 2025” astronaut with Titans Space, sparking controversy. NASA denied ties, raising questions about her credentials and influencer marketing in general.
Peixoto blasted off into a cloud of confusion after she posted a video on Instagram claiming:
“I’m officially an astronaut of the Class of 2025 and will be part of the inaugural Titans Space flight.”
This was much to the disdain of NASA, which issued a denial within days, clarifying she has no official ties to the agency.
Peixoto declares she’s Brazil’s first female astronaut and part of the “Class of 2025.”
In a viral post, she declared she had been selected for Titans Space’s inaugural flight, commanded by NASA veteran Bill McArthur.
Taking a patriotic angle, she says she’ll represent Brazil “in a decisive era of space exploration.”
Increasing believability, Peixoto has previously included photos of herself in NASA apparel and cockpit settings to reinforce the image.
NASA clearly states: “This individual is not a NASA employee, principal investigator, or astronaut candidate.”
They clarified that Peixoto only participated in the L’Space Academy – an open-access academic program, not a NASA internship.
NASA’s distancing triggered a wave of media scrutiny and headlines, and prompted Peixoto to delete her LinkedIn profile, which claimed a NASA job at 19, a Max Planck fellowship, and studies at MIT and Columbia.
The fiasco raises questions about the accuracy of her self-presentation as an influencer, and though self-branding is important, it’s not far from committing deception.