Blue Origin space flight returns to Earth with star-studded crew
Blue Origin’s all-female crew returned to Earth with celebrity astronauts on board.
Gayle King’s game face might be a little shaky, but that’s OK.
The television news journalist, 70, launched into space Monday morning on the historic all-female Blue Origin flight that explored the outer orbit for 11 minutes.
The mission, called NS-31, also included pop star Katy Perry and journalist Lauren Sánchez, alongside former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, bioastronautics research scientist Amanda Nguyen and film producer Kerianne Flynn. The six women became the first all-female space crew in more than 60 years, Blue Origin has said.
However, King’s trailblazer spirit didn’t spare the “CBS Mornings” co-host of some last-minute jitters. While walking toward the capsule, King and her crewmates rang a ceremonial bell before boarding. Her notably serious facial expression drew concern and playful teasing from fans on social media.
“I don’t think Gayle will make it,” Amelda Packiry wrote on Facebook. “She will stop that rocket before liftoff. She looks very much nervous.”
Well, after a successful touchdown, King shared what was going through her mind before leaving the atmosphere.
Why Gayle King was ‘so afraid’ ahead of space flight
During a press conference following the space flight, King — a self-professed “nervous flier” — reflected on her anxious demeanor ahead of launch.
“At that moment I was so afraid, I just wanted to get into my seat because I just wanted to let the training kick in,” King explained. “I just wanted to get inside the capsule and sit down. So, the process of walking up there was a little daunting for me.”
Despite the nerve-wracking feat, King expressed gratitude for the life-changing experience, adding, “I know I will never forget it.”
“I walked out of there thinking, gosh I can do anything,” King said. “I’m so proud of us. I really am proud of me because I never in a gazillion years thought I could do this.”
Gayle King entertains the internet with space flight nerves
King’s pre-flight nerves quickly became a hot topic on social media, with fans weighing in on the news personality’s appearance.
“Gayle King is all of us on a Monday,” @DarkSkinPrue wrote on X.
“Gayle King looks scared. She’s not even smiling,” Laura Trestrail commented on Facebook. “Should of had her BFF Oprah (Winfrey) go with her 🫣💡”
“Lmao it’s Gayle King’s face for me. A face of regret or? 😂🤣,” X user @JTwifeyy wrote.
In a more sentimental take, Kayla Starr Simmons shared on Threads that King’s resolve to conquer her flying fears was inspiring.
“She’s been talking so transparently about how scared she was to do this. You could quite literally see the fear in her eyes as she rung the bell, she looked terrified!”, Simmons wrote. “The main thing I learned is to do it, and do it scared. Live your life fully without any regrets.”
Contributing: Anna Kaufman and Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY
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