Veteran broadcaster Gayle King is livid and rightfully so. Following her historic suborbital spaceflight with Blue Origin, King has lashed out at critics who belittled the experience as nothing more than a “ride.”
The journalist did not mince words as she condemned the casual dismissal of the 11-minute mission, especially when it targeted a groundbreaking all-female crew that included global pop icon Katy Perry, aviation executive Lauren Sánchez, NASA aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and producer Kerianne Flynn.
In a powerful public statement, King denounced the backlash.
“I’m very disappointed and very saddened by it,” she said in a post-flight interview. “And I also say this, what it’s doing to inspire other women and young girls, please don’t ignore that.”
Misogyny Disguised as Mockery
King wasn’t just upset. She was infuriated by the sexist undertones embedded in the criticism. The term “ride,” she argued, grossly minimizes the emotional, historical, and symbolic weight of what was a courageous leap into space by six women.
“It’s misogynistic,” King reportedly told colleagues. “When Jeff Bezos went, or when William Shatner went, it was called a flight. An expedition. A mission. But when it’s us? Suddenly it’s just a joy ride. How dare they.”
The hypocrisy is glaring. When Elon Musk sends a SpaceX crew into orbit, it’s hailed as the future of mankind. When a group of women boards a Blue Origin capsule to make history, it’s mocked like a theme park attraction.
Critics, including actress Olivia Munn and model Emily Ratajkowski, slammed the launch as “beyond parody,” alleging that it was nothing more than rich people playing astronaut. Munn even called it “tone-deaf,” while others questioned the environmental cost of such a trip.
But the cynicism masks a deeper discomfort with women claiming space. The moment women take up room in sectors dominated by men, the narrative shifts from admiration to ridicule. And King is calling it out.
Alan Shepard Comparison Sparks Controversy
Perhaps most audaciously, King compared her experience to that of astronaut Alan Shepard, who famously became the first American in space in 1961 and later walked on the moon.
“People are laughing that I said I went to space. Well, Alan Shepard’s flight in 1961 lasted 15 minutes. Mine was 11. Was his a ride too?”
To some, the comparison may seem excessive. But King’s point is a sharp one. History celebrates the bravery of men who paved the way in space exploration even if their missions were brief. Yet when women dare to step into the same capsule, they’re accused of vanity and spectacle.
The Symbolic Weight of NS-31
The Blue Origin NS-31 mission wasn’t just a publicity stunt. It was a historic statement. It marked the first all-female spaceflight since 1963, when Valentina Tereshkova flew solo for the Soviet Union.
This flight brought together women from radically different walks of life: music, journalism, activism, science, aviation, and entertainment. It sent a message to the world that women not only belong in these arenas, they can lead them.
“We weren’t there to play astronaut,” said crew member Amanda Nguyen. “We were there to show the next generation that women can and must claim space.”
Blue Origin emphasized that the mission had scientific value as well, with experiments onboard related to gravity’s effect on cellular structure, and data collection contributing to future zero-gravity medical research.
Facing Down the Hate
Gayle King isn’t new to criticism. But she’s drawing the line here. And she’s not backing down.
“I stepped out of my comfort zone in a way that I never thought was possible,” she said. “Now that I’ve done it, I really do feel I can take on anything.”
Critics can scoff, sneer, and tweet. But history won’t forget that on April 14, 2025, six women boarded a spaceship and carved their names into the cosmos. They didn’t ask for permission. And they will not apologize for it.
Don’t Diminish This Moment
In the end, this isn’t about suborbital arcs or mission duration. It’s about agency. Visibility. Power.
Gayle King and the NS-31 crew stepped into a vacuum far greater than space. They entered the void of public expectation and rewrote the rules. To reduce that act to a “ride” is not only incorrect. It’s insulting.
So no, it wasn’t just a ride. It was a revelation. A reclamation. A riot in the skies.
And if that makes you uncomfortable? Good.
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