Blue Origin NS-31 launch: Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez respond to criticism following historic all-female mission

Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez have addressed recent criticism surrounding their participation in Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, which marked a significant milestone as the first all-female crewed flight in the company’s history.

The NS-31 flight included notable figures such as singer Katy Perry, rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, scientist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The brief yet symbolic suborbital flight took place on April 14 and lasted approximately 11 minutes.

Photo: AFP

Speaking after the journey, CBS Mornings presenter Gayle King highlighted the broader impact of the mission. "Anybody that’s criticizing it doesn’t really understand what is happening here," she told People. "We can all speak to the response we're getting from young women from young girls about what this represents."

Critics including actress Olivia Munn and comedian Amy Schumer questioned the purpose and cost of the mission. 

King acknowledged such perspectives but emphasised the symbolic value and outreach potential. “This is so much bigger than one man and one company,” she noted, referring to Bezos’s involvement. “You can do this on one hand and this on the other hand, and both things can be true.”

Lauren Sánchez, a former news anchor and partner of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, also responded to the commentary. "I would love to have them come to Blue Origin and see the thousands of employees that don't just work here but they put their heart and soul into this vehicle," she said.

The mission was conducted using Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, a fully autonomous vehicle designed for suborbital human spaceflight.