Gayle King is “very disappointed and very saddened” by criticism of her Blue Origin space flight. The mission reached the boundary of space, allowing the crew to experience weightlessness and view Earth from a unique vantage point.
The 70-year-old broadcaster was part of an all-female crew, which also included pop star Katy Perry, Jeff Bezos’ fiancee Lauren Sanchez, aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. They flew to the boundary of space earlier this week, and King has been left frustrated by those who branded the 11-minute trip “frivolous.” The historic flight marked a significant milestone for female representation in space travel.
“Space is not an either-or, it’s a both-and, and because you do something in space doesn’t mean you’re taking anything away from Earth. And what you’re doing in space is trying to make things better here on Earth,” she said, speaking on “CBS Mornings.” This marks King’s first public response since returning from the mission.
“What Blue Origin wants to do is take the waste here and figure out a way to put it in space to make our planet cleaner. Jeff Bezos has so many ideas, and the people that are working there are really devoted and dedicated to making our planet a better place. That’s No. 1. Blue Origin continues to develop technologies aimed at sustainability and improved space access.
“There was nothing frivolous about what we do. The mission was designed to showcase the possibilities of space travel while collecting valuable research data.
“So, you know, I’m very disappointed and very saddened by it [the criticism]. And I also say this — what it’s doing to inspire other women and young girls? Please don’t ignore that. I’ve had so many women and young girls reach out to me, and men too, by the way. Men too that say, ‘Wow, I never thought I could do that, but I see you doing it at this stage of your life.’ ” King emphasized the importance of representation in traditionally male-dominated fields like aerospace.
Emily Ratajkowski is among those who have criticized the trip. The model and actress shared her thoughts on social media, generating significant attention.
“That space mission this morning? That’s end time s–t. Like, this is beyond parody,” Ratajkowski ranted in a TikTok video. “Saying that you care about Mother Earth and it’s about Mother Earth, and you’re going up in a spaceship that is built and paid for by a company that’s singlehandedly destroying the planet?” Her comments resonated with many who share concerns about environmental impacts.
“Look at the state of the world and think about how many resources went into putting these women into space. For what? What was the marketing there?” Critics have questioned the purpose and cost of private space tourism ventures.
“And then to try to make it like … I’m disgusted. Literally, I’m disgusted.” Environmental considerations remain a significant part of the debate around commercial space travel.
And Olivia Wilde reposted a meme on her Instagram Story featuring Perry kissing the ground after exiting the rocket and text which read: “getting off a commercial flight in 2025 #BlueOrigin. (sic)” The actress used humor to express her perspective on the mission.
She captioned the post: “Billion dollars bought some good memes, I guess.” Her commentary highlighted concerns about wealth disparity and resource allocation.
Ahead of the flight, Olivia Munn branded the trip “a bit gluttonous.” She joined several celebrities who spoke out against the venture.
“What’s the point? Is it historic that you guys are going on a ride? I think it’s a bit gluttonous,” she said on “Today with Jenna and Friends” earlier this month. “Space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. What are they gonna do up there that has made it better for us down here?” Munn’s comments reflect broader questions about the purpose of private space flights.
The debate surrounding private space ventures continues to grow as companies like Blue Origin expand their operations. The discussion highlights tensions between technological advancement, inspiration, and concerns about environmental impact during times of global challenges. Despite the criticism, King remains committed to highlighting the positive aspects of the journey and its potential to inspire future generations of women in science and exploration.
