Gayle King Joins All-Female Crew That Will Be Heading To Space Through Blue Origin's NS-31 Mission

As journalists, living within your stories is a treasure. For Gayle King, this journey will lead her into space.

In 2021, King expressed excitement during an interview surrounding the launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket into space with Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Oliver Damon, and Wally Funk.

Now, King will be front and center as Blue Origin—created by Bezos in 2000 to work towards a future that will permit millions to live and work in space with the overarching goal of sustaining work—prepares for its 11th flight under its New Shepard program, NS-31 mission, according to WJTV. This time, it will be with an all-woman team, which marks a first for Blue Origin.

“I had to think really hard about this decision, and I consulted family, friends, doctors, and people who I know who have gone to space,” King said in an interview with Oprah Daily.

Among her trusted confidants who gave their blessing was billionaire  Oprah Winfrey, who advised, “If you don’t do it and see everyone come back so excited, you’ll be kicking yourself.”

King will be joined by Civil Rights Activist Amanda Nguyen, Producer Kerianne Flynn, Singers Lauren Sánchez and Katy Perry, and Former NASA Rocket Scientist Aisha Bowe, who also is on a mission to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) more accessible to individuals of any age through her company Lingo. It offers projects that promote coding and problem-solving. As AFROTECH™ previously told you, she raised $2.3 million in a round led by Pinnacle Private Ventures in November 2024.

She will continue empowering others as she explores space and conducts scientific research.

“I’m honored to be part of Blue Origin’s first all-female flight team and this historic moment in space exploration and human potential,” said Bowe in a news release. “This mission is about redefining what’s possible and showing young people, especially girls, that they belong in every field.”

She later stated, “I will be conducting meaningful scientific research during the journey while carrying the dreams of students worldwide. The postcards flying with me include handwritten hopes and dreams from students in the U.S., the Bahamas, India, and Kenya. They symbolize the next generation’s vision for discovery, progress, and a future without limits.”