Gayle King is getting ready for the journey of a lifetime. The CBS Mornings co-host will soon launch into space alongside Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend Lauren Sánchez, and three other trailblazing women. The mission, set to take place this spring, marks a historic all-female spaceflight aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-31 rocket.
A Trailblazing All-Female Space Mission
Blue Origin announced that this will be the company’s 11th crewed mission and the 31st overall flight of the New Shepard program. The six-member team includes Gayle King, Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyen, and Kerianne Flynn.
Lauren Sánchez, an experienced pilot and space enthusiast, played a key role in assembling the crew. Blue Origin highlighted her leadership, stating that she is “honored to lead a team of explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives of Earth, empower them to share their own stories, and create lasting impact that will inspire generations to come.”
Gayle King’s Excitement and Nerves About Space Travel
King expressed a mix of excitement and nervousness about the upcoming space mission. Speaking on CBS Mornings, she compared her emotions to another life-changing moment.
“I don’t know how to explain being terrified and excited at the same time. It’s like how I felt about to deliver a baby,” she shared.
She admitted that before committing to the journey, she sought advice from her best friend, Oprah Winfrey, and her children.
“Once Kirby and Will and Oprah were fine with it, I was fine,” King said. “I thought Oprah would say no, no. She said, ‘I think if you don’t do it, when they all come back and you had the opportunity to do it, you will be kicking yourself.’ She’s right.”
Meet the Women Making History in Space
This spaceflight features an accomplished and diverse crew.
- Gayle King – Award-winning journalist and co-host of CBS Mornings.
- Katy Perry – Pop superstar and entrepreneur, bringing a creative perspective to the mission.
- Lauren Sánchez – Trained pilot, philanthropist, and partner of Jeff Bezos, who helped organize the mission.
- Aisha Bowe – Former NASA rocket scientist, STEM advocate, and CEO of STEMBoard.
- Amanda Nguyen – Bioastronautics research scientist and activist for human rights.
- Kerianne Flynn – Former fashion and HR professional turned film producer.
Blue Origin’s Mission and the Future of Space Travel
Blue Origin has been at the forefront of commercial space travel, sending 52 people past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space. With this mission, the company continues its push to make space travel more accessible.
The exact launch date remains undisclosed, but the flight is expected to take place this spring.
This mission is a major step for women in space exploration, inspiring future generations to dream beyond the stars.
