When it comes to space travel, Neil deGrasse Tyson isn’t just a brilliant astrophysicist; he’s also got a sense of humor that’s downright cosmic. Recently, he declared he’d only board Elon Musk’s SpaceX rocket if Musk’s mother, Maye, goes up first. You can almost picture Elon rolling his eyes while Tyson cracks jokes about family safety measures. It’s a quirky take on a serious matter in the world of space exploration—a reminder that sending people into space involves real risks.
Tyson, while cracking jokes about his conditions, laid it down straight: he’s not interested in just a brief orbital joyride. No, he’s hoping for more ambitious trips to places like the Moon or Mars. It seems like standing 200,000 miles away from Earth just isn’t thrilling enough unless there’s a true destination. Imagine how tight those space suits get during a family-fueled launch party.
While one can’t blame Tyson for wanting proof about a rocket’s safety, his request is just an entertaining twist in the high-stakes world of space travel. Who knew that a simple (yet hilarious) challenge could bring a little levity to something as serious as space exploration? It just goes to show that even the smartest among us know how to find the funny side when it comes to family—and rockets.
Have you ever thought about what it takes to make space travel safe? Would you strap in for a trip if your mom went first? Let’s hear your thoughts below!





