Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past week, you’ll be aware that Amazon founder Jeff Bezos just completed an 11 minute journey to space aboard his company Blue Origin's New Shepard launch vehicle.

He was accompanied by Mark Bezos, his brother, Wally Funk, an 82-year-old pioneer of the space race, and an 18-year-old student.

During a news conference, billionaire Bezos thanked “every Amazon employee and every Amazon customer because you guys paid for all of this."

Enter his many, many critics who were quick to point out that Amazon workers have complained of poor working conditions, long hours and low pay. Customers are also getting a bum deal.

Oh, and the e-commerce giant doesn’t pay its fair share of taxes.

US representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had this to say.

Yes, Amazon workers did pay for this - with lower wages, union busting, a frenzied and inhumane workplace, and delivery drivers not having health insurance during a pandemic.

And Amazon customers are paying for it with Amazon abusing their market power to hurt small business. https://t.co/7qMgpe8u0M
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 20, 2021

Whilst Senator Elizabeth Warren called for a wealth tax.

Jeff Bezos forgot to thank all the hardworking Americans who actually paid taxes to keep this country running while he and Amazon paid nothing. https://t.co/tjOeCWbUA8
— Elizabeth Warren (@ewarren) July 20, 2021

Representative Earl Blumenauer, meanwhile, put the case for a tax on space travel.

I just announced my Securing Protections Against Carbon Emissions (SPACE) Tax Act.

Space travel isn't a tax-free holiday for the wealthy.

We pay taxes on plane tickets. Billionaires flying into space—producing no scientific value—should do the same, and then some! #SPACETax🚀
— Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) July 20, 2021

Bezos was also roasted by comedians Trevor Noah and Conan O’Brien.

Jeff Bezos was in space for 5 minutes—or as its known at the Amazon warehouse, your allotted break time for a 16-hour day
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) July 20, 2021

Jeff Bezos is charging someone $28 million for 11 minutes in space, which sounds just about right for the owner of Whole Foods.
— Conan O'Brien (@ConanOBrien) July 20, 2021

OMG!

When asked how it felt going into space, Bezos, who recently vacated the role of Amazon CEO, stated: "Oh my God! My expectations were high and they were dramatically exceeded."

Zero gravity felt "so normal", although he could now vouch for the earth's fragility.

"We're damaging it," he said, adding that being able to see the planet's atmosphere for himself was "very profound".

“This was a monumental day for Blue Origin and human spaceflight,” said Bob Smith, CEO, Blue Origin.

“I am so incredibly proud of Team Blue, their professionalism, and expertise in executing this flight. This was a big step forward for us and is only the beginning.”

Blue Origin expects to fly two more crewed flights this year, with more crewed flights planned for 2022.