Shubham Sawarkar
The European Space Agency (ESA) has joined the memes and jokes surrounding the recent launch of Threads, the new Twitter competitor app from Meta. In a light-hearted thread [or whatever you call it], the ESA playfully asked Mark Zuckerberg, the CEO of Meta, about his interest in venturing into rocket manufacturing. The post, which got nearly 4.3K likes within 24 hours, not only teased Zuckerberg but also indirectly referenced Elon Musk, the entrepreneur behind SpaceX. This interaction not only showcases the ESA’s witty social media presence but also highlights the success of Meta’s Threads, which has already amassed an impressive user base of 30 million as of Thursday morning.
With a growing following of 122,000 on Threads, the ESA cheekily tagged Mark Zuckerberg in the thread that playfully comment, “Do you want to start making rockets?” This clever remark demonstrates the ESA’s ability to engage with the online community and its willingness to embrace the playful banter that often surrounds notable events and personalities.
Post by @europeanspaceagencyView on Threads
While the ESA’s comment may have been lighthearted, it also alluded to the close collaboration between the European Space Agency and SpaceX. The ESA has undertaken several joint ventures with SpaceX, including launching its Euclid space telescope aboard a Space X Falcon 9 rocket just last Saturday. By referencing this collaboration, the ESA indirectly acknowledges the technological prowess and achievements of both Elon Musk and his company.
Related / Twitter threatens legal action against Meta’s Threads
The success of Meta’s Threads, which quickly reached an impressive user count of 30 million within a short period, raises questions about Mark Zuckerberg’s ability to excel in diverse fields beyond social media. While Elon Musk’s SpaceX has become synonymous with rocket manufacturing and space exploration, other billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson have also ventured into this domain. This playful jab at Zuckerberg may reflect the ESA’s curiosity about his potential expansion into the realm of rockets and space exploration.
The ESA’s jesting remark might also touch upon the perception that Meta’s Threads app is perceived as a copycat of existing social media platforms. Prior to Threads, Meta’s implementation of the stories feature bore a resemblance to Snapchat‘s popular functionality. Similarly, Instagram‘s reels gained momentum shortly after TikTok‘s rise in popularity. By mentioning Zuckerberg’s foray into rocketry, the ESA subtly hints at the perceived mimicry of features by Meta and playfully adds to the ongoing debate surrounding originality in social media platforms.
Despite Meta’s Threads being in its early stages, the European Space Agency has emerged as one of the first companies to gain attention on the platform. With an already substantial following of 122,000, the ESA exemplifies the organization’s adaptability in embracing new communication channels and connecting with a diverse audience.
