Cats are still deeply awed by the laser pointer.

I'm sure aliens appreciated the effort longer.

Pretty sure it's just a joke.

Right, most people have seen this trick performed with a broom handle or maybe even done it themselves. This is the same trick done from edge of space to sea level with a much smaller margin for error and a gravity well.

To me it's fucking awesome. To everyone else it's just a large broomstick.