Yes, you heard that right—Gayle King is going to space.
The CBS Mornings co-host and author was announced Thursday (February 27) as part of Blue Origin’s first all-female crew launching into space.
Joining her on the mission will be pop superstar and former American Idol judge Katy Perry, journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sanchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
The group will launch this spring aboard the New Shepard spacecraft from Blue Origin’s West Texas base. An exact date has not yet been set.
“I don’t know how to explain being terrified and excited at the same time,” Gayle told CBS News after the announcement. “It’s like how I felt about to deliver a baby.”
The author, who recently turned 70, admitted space travel wasn’t on her bucket list. She consulted her kids and longtime friend, Oprah Winfrey, before agreeing to join the mission.
“Once Kirby and Will and Oprah was fine with it, I was fine,” she said. “I thought Oprah would say no, no. She said, ‘I think if you don’t do it when they all come back and you had the opportunity to do it, you will be kicking yourself.’ She’s right.”
Gayle also expressed admiration for her fellow crew members.
“These women are so badass. They have such amazing life stories.”
And despite having some fears, the editor-at-large said she is ready to lift off.
“I feel well prepared. I believe in Blue Origin, what they’re doing,” she said. “I am really excited and actually looking forward to it.”
Sanchez, who brought the crew tighter, said she was “beyond excited” about the upcoming trip.
“I am beyond excited to share the news of my @BlueOrigin space flight this spring and the fearless explorers who are coming with me! Welcome aboard @gayleking @katyperry @amandangocnguyen @aishabowe @spacekerianne,” the pilot, journalist, and vice chair of the Bezos Earth Fund,” wrote on Instagram.
“I really see this group as explorers and storytellers, each of us about to be changed by a remarkable view of our beautiful planet. The countdown starts now! ???? #takingupspace.”
The 55-year-old is also engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.
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According to Blue Origin, the mission will be the 11th human flight for the New Shepard program and the 31st in its history.
So far, the program has flown 52 people, including Star Trek actor William Shatner and Bezos himself.
Blue Origin also noted that this will be the first all-female flight crew since Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova’s solo spaceflight in 1963.
