Queen guitarist and astrophysicist Sir Brian May recalled being terrified to question space exploration in front of Apollo 11 moonwalkers Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin during a 2011 speech, before Armstrong reassured him backstage by telling him he “said the right thing.”
The musician reflected on the tense encounter while hosting the Starmus festival in the Canary Islands, where he also lamented the current state of billionaire-backed space programs. May earned a PhD in astrophysics from Imperial College London in 2007, decades after pausing his studies for his music career, and delivered the remarks at a time when space endeavors were shifting focus.
The Guitarist Confronts the Pioneers
In 2011, May took the stage at an event featuring six Apollo moonwalkers, including Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, Charlie Duke, and Harrison Schmitt. Armed with his astrophysics background, the Queen legend questioned whether humanity should venture further into the cosmos given the ecological state of Earth.
“Why do we feel confident, worthy, to be putting our seed into space when we’ve made such a mess of our own planet?” May recounted asking the room.
He admitted he was petrified that the pioneers sitting before him would despise his questioning of their life’s work. Instead, Armstrong approached him after his speech to offer validation, stating simply that he had said the right thing.
Billionaires and Orbiting Satellites
Shifting from government-led space programs to modern private enterprises, May criticized contemporary billionaires funding private space tourism. He argued that ultra-wealthy figures prioritize selfish interests while earthly problems mount, stating that people suffering on Earth matter more than space travel.
The modern landscape of private space infrastructure continues to draw geopolitical attention. Russian President Vladimir Putin recently described SpaceX founder Elon Musk as a “real genius” following close contacts regarding satellite technology and the Rassvet project, ensuring orbits do not interfere with Starlink.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to rely on a military version of Starlink known as Starshield for battlefield communications and drone operations. Neither Musk nor the US government has claimed responsibility for recent speed restrictions hampering interception efforts.
Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos faced similar scrutiny over his Blue Origin NS-31 mission, featuring pop star Katy Perry and Lauren Sanchez. The flight drew criticism as a marketing spectacle with a heavy environmental footprint.
| Figure | Associated Project | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Brian May | Starmus Festival | Reflected on 2011 space exploration speech and modern billionaires. |
| Neil Armstrong | Apollo 11 | Reassured May backstage after his 2011 address. |
| Elon Musk | SpaceX / Starlink | In close contact with Russian leadership regarding orbital projects. |
| Jeff Bezos | Blue Origin NS-31 | Faced criticism over high-profile celebrity space tourism flights. |
Family Focus and Future Touring
Alongside his scientific pursuits and hosting duties at Starmus, May recently suggested that Queen might be finished touring after 50 years. The musician indicated a desire to dedicate more of his time to his family and his lifelong passion for astrophysics.
“I wish I could find a billionaire who was a decent human being,” May told EL PAÍS. “They all seem to be fostering their own selfish interests while the world falls apart: they’re destroying it, people are suffering. That’s more important than going to space.”
