Blue Origin, the space company founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, achieved a major milestone on Tuesday, July 20th, as it successfully launched six passengers to the edge of space from its launch site in Texas. This marked New Shepard’s 38th flight and its 17th human mission, making it an 11-minute journey that will go down in history.
The launch, which was named the “First Human Flight” by Blue Origin, was a monumental moment for the company as it fulfilled its long-standing goal of sending civilians to space. The crew consisted of Jeff Bezos himself, his brother Mark Bezos, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, who became the youngest person ever to travel to space. This diverse group of individuals brought a sense of excitement and inspiration to the launch, representing the different generations and backgrounds that were brought together by this incredible feat.
The journey began at 8:12 am EDT, as the New Shepard rocket blasted off from its launchpad in Van Horn, Texas. The rocket climbed steadily for about two and a half minutes before separating from its capsule, which continued its ascent to the edge of space. The passengers were able to experience weightlessness for about three minutes, during which they were able to unbuckle their seatbelts and float around the capsule, taking in the breathtaking views of Earth from above. The capsule then parachuted back to the launch site, where it landed safely at 8:22 am EDT.
The entire journey lasted just 11 minutes, but for the passengers, it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that they will never forget. Jeff Bezos, who stepped down as Amazon’s CEO earlier this month, fulfilled his childhood dream of going to space and shared his excitement in a post-flight press conference. He expressed his gratitude towards the team at Blue Origin and the passengers who made this journey possible. “I want to thank every Amazon employee and every Amazon customer because you guys paid for all of this,” he said, highlighting the company’s success that has allowed him to pursue his passion for space exploration.
Wally Funk, who at 82 years old became the oldest person to travel to space, also shared her experience and the impact it had on her. “I’ve been waiting a long time to finally get up there,” she said, referring to her decades-long career as a pilot and her previous attempts to go to space. “I loved it. I can hardly wait to go again,” she added, showcasing her enthusiasm and determination.
The inclusion of Oliver Daemen, who replaced the anonymous auction winner that paid $28 million for a seat but had to reschedule due to a scheduling conflict, added a unique element to the launch. At just 18 years old, Daemen’s presence on the flight highlighted the potential for young individuals to be a part of future space missions and inspire the next generation of space explorers.
This successful launch by Blue Origin marks a significant moment in the commercial space industry, as it competes with other space companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic. While SpaceX has already sent civilians to space, Blue Origin’s New Shepard is the first spacecraft designed for commercial space tourism, with plans to offer regular flights to paying customers in the near future. This launch also sets the stage for future missions to the moon and beyond, as Blue Origin continues to develop its larger and more powerful New Glenn rocket.
The “First Human Flight” by Blue Origin also holds a special significance as it took place on the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, where humans first set foot on the moon. This serves as a reminder of the progress and advancements made in space exploration in the past five decades and the endless possibilities that lie ahead.
In addition to the successful launch, Blue Origin also announced a donation of $100 million each to the charities of the passengers’ choice. These donations will support organizations that work towards space exploration and inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
The “First Human Flight” by Blue Origin has captured the world’s attention and reignited the excitement and wonder of space exploration. It serves as a reminder of the power of human determination and innovation, and the limitless potential of what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal. As Blue Origin continues its journey towards the stars, we can only imagine what incredible feats they will accomplish in the future.
