Journalists Gayle King and Lauren Sánchez have defended Blue Origin’s historic all-female space flight, which took place on Monday, April 14. The crew of four, including actress Katy Perry and rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, embarked on a 11-minute round-trip expedition to the edge of space.
Criticism from actress Olivia Munn had been mounting in recent weeks, with the former Newsroom star questioning the mission’s historic significance. However, King and Sánchez dismissed her comments, saying that critics “don’t really understand what is happening here.” They emphasized the importance of the mission for young women, highlighting the impact it could have on inspiring future generations.
Sánchez, who was instrumental in bringing the mission to life, urged potential critics to visit Blue Origin’s facility to see firsthand the dedication and passion of its employees. “I just say, ‘Trust me. Come with me,'” she said. Rocket scientist Aisha Bowe also shared her personal story, explaining how her high school guidance counselor initially discouraged her from pursuing aerospace engineering.
The crew was back on solid ground after their experience in space, where they brought a small daisy as a symbol of good luck and Perry sang a few bars of “What a Wonderful World”. Despite the criticism, King and Sánchez remain committed to promoting women’s empowerment through STEM education.
Source: https://people.com/lauren-sanchez-gayle-king-hit-back-blue-origin-flight-criticism-11713687