WINTER PARK, Fla – When “CBS Mornings” co-host Gayle King and Katy Perry join four other women on a flight to the edge of space Monday, they’ll be receiving support on the ground from a woman who’s flown the same trip twice.
Sharon Hagle will be cheering on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket (NS-31) as it lifts off from Van Horn, Texas.
“They are so excited,” Hagle said. “They’re getting ready for that trip. They’ve been trained and they’re ready to go.”
Hagle and her husband Marc, were the first married couple to fly to space when they launched from a New Shepard rocket in 2022. The couple returned to space on another New Shepard rocket last fall.
Blue Origin is a company created by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. When the crew of NS-31 was announced in February, he called the members “a team of explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives of Earth.”
Hagle said Monday’s mission will be life-changing for the crew from the moment they liftoff.
“They’re going to be experiencing a roar, deafening roar of the engines igniting,” Hagle said. “The thing I want to impress on the women is to try and stay in the moment.”
NS-31 will also be the first U.S. space mission will an all-female crew.
“This is absolutely a lifetime dream for these women, and to have all women in the capsule, that’s never been done before,” Hagle said. “When a child can see women going into space and especially that little girl, it gives them hope.”
Hagle, who is the founder of SpaceKids Global, said the mission is an inspiration for many and will hopefully inspire children to pursue a career in the aerospace industry.
“If they can see someone else doing that, then they feel that they can do it too,” Hagle said.
When the crew reaches the edge of space, Hagle said she hopes they’ll soak in every moment.
“It is the most emotional and spiritual journey I’ve ever taken,” Hagle said. “Sit back, stay in the moment, and have a great flight. Godspeed.”
For more details about SpaceKids Global, click here.