In a matter of days, CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King will make history as one of the first members of an all-female Blue Origin space crew. The upcoming launch, set for Monday morning, marks a momentous occasion not just for space tourism but also for representation, inspiration, and personal courage.

“I’ll Be Ready Monday Morning”

Speaking candidly in a conversation with CBS Mornings host Vladimir Duthiers, King admitted she’s “still processing” the life-changing experience ahead. “I’ll be ready Monday morning, I promise,” she said. “But I still have a ways to go before I’m like, ‘Okay, put me in, coach. Let’s go.’”

At 70 years old, King is embracing a dream she never had—but one she’s proud to realise. “It was never my dream to go to space,” she said. “But there was something about being part of the first female team… Why would I not want to be a part of that?”

A Groundbreaking All-Female Crew

King will be joined by a powerhouse group: pop icon Katy Perry, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn. Together, they form a historic crew that symbolises progress and inclusion in an industry historically dominated by men.

The flight will place them among a select group—fewer than 700 people in human history have travelled to space, a number small enough to fit inside half a Broadway theatre.

Facing Fears and Floating Freely

Despite her nerves—especially as a self-proclaimed “nervous flier”—King is most looking forward to experiencing weightlessness. “I’m looking forward to just floating in space and just seeing what that feels like,” she said. Still, she jokes about her practical concerns: “How do you get back into your seat after you’re floating around? Is it like swimming down?”

Astrophysicist Jackie Faherty, who met with King and Duthiers at the American Museum of Natural History in New York, described what King can expect: “You’ll reach an altitude where the atmosphere gets thinner… and then the sky will start to turn dark.”

Personal Mementos, Powerful Support

In her small space-approved travel bag, King will carry heartfelt tokens: a locket from Drew Barrymore containing photos of her children, a stuffed toy version of her grandson’s favourite Sesame Street character, Tamir, and a bracelet made by a colleague’s 7-year-old daughter.

King emphasised that the support of her family—especially her daughter Kirby, son Will, and long-time friend Oprah—was crucial. “If any of the three of them had said, ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea,’ I wouldn’t have done it,” she said. “But they were all so excited and enthusiastic for me.”

Even her young grandson Luca is cheering her on. “He knows Gaila’s going on a rocket ship,” King said, explaining the nickname “Gaila”—a blend of Gayle and Gaia, the Greek personification of Mother Earth.

“God Can Dream a Bigger Dream for You”

Reflecting on the journey, King hopes her flight will inspire others to break boundaries—especially those who believe they’ve missed their chance.

“God can dream a bigger dream for you than you can dream for yourself,” she said. “It also tells you what’s possible at this age.”

How to Watch the Launch

The launch is scheduled for Monday morning, with coverage beginning at 9:00 a.m. ET on CBS Mornings. The launch window opens at 9:30 a.m. ET, and the event will also stream live on CBS News 24/7 and Paramount+.

Source: CBS News