Gayle King has addressed the backlash surrounding her participation in Blue Origin’s all-female spaceflight on April 14, 2025. The mission, which included Katy Perry, Lauren Sánchez, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, and Kerianne Flynn, faced scrutiny over its reported $28 million per-seat cost and perceived lack of scientific value. ​

Many critics on social media mocked the flights as “space tourism.”

In an interview with Extra, King acknowledged initial skepticism about the expenditure on space travel. However, she emphasized that her perspective shifted after learning about Blue Origin’s objectives, including environmental research and technological advancements. “We use space technology all the time, whether it’s your GPS, whether it’s your satellite,” King noted, highlighting the broader applications of space exploration.

King also criticized the dismissive language used to describe the mission, particularly the term “ride.” She pointed out that male astronauts are rarely subjected to such terminology, stating, “You never see a male astronaut who’s going up in space, and they say, ‘Oh, he took a ride.'”

Despite the criticism, King expressed pride in the mission’s inspirational impact, especially on young women. “I’ve had so many girls and women and some guys who are saying, ‘Whoa, I saw what you did. I’m thinking maybe I should reconsider, maybe I could do this too,'” she shared.

The flight, lasting just over ten minutes, reached an altitude of 346,802 feet and marked Blue Origin’s 11th human spaceflight. While some celebrated the launch as a milestone for women in spaceflight, others criticized it as extravagant and unnecessary.

King concluded by urging critics to educate themselves on the mission’s goals before passing judgment. “I wish people would do more due diligence,” she said, emphasizing the importance of understanding the broader purpose of space endeavors.

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Paige Javor

Article by Paige Javor

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