Gayle King is happy to address the “haters” voicing criticism over Blue Origin’s all-female space flight.

During a Tuesday interview with Extra, the CBS Morning co-anchor said it was “good that we can really address” the controversy that has erupted after some questioned the usefulness of the expedition.

“I was one of those people, before I went on this flight and became educated at space, [questioning,] ‘Why are we spending so much money on space when there’s so much to do here on Earth?’” King said. She added her perspective shifted when she learned more about “what Blue Origin does,” which included finding “a way to harness the waste here and figure out a way to put it in space to make planet Earth a better place.”

“So I wish people would do more due diligence,” King continued, before pushing back at the critics. “And then my question is,...