Blue Origin successfully sends six passengers to space
- Blue Origin successfully completed its 13th crewed suborbital flight on a Sunday in West Texas.
- The flight allowed six civilian astronauts, including a married couple and the first Nigerian in space, to experience weightlessness for about three minutes.
- This mission underscores Blue Origin's leadership in the suborbital space tourism market as it continues to innovate and operate safely.
In the United States, on a clear Sunday morning, Blue Origin successfully launched its 13th human mission to the edge of space, marking a significant milestone for the private space company founded by Jeff Bezos. Scheduled originally for June 21, the flight was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions but ultimately lifted off at 10:38 a.m. EDT from the company’s Launch Site One in West Texas. The New Shepard spacecraft carried six civilian astronauts, including a married couple and the first Nigerian to travel to space. The flight lasted just over 10 minutes, allowing passengers to experience approximately three minutes of weightlessness as the capsule soared to an altitude exceeding 65 miles. During the mission, the spacecraft was powered by the reusable New Shepard booster which utilized a hydrogen-fueled BE-3 rocket engine. Following the ascent, the booster and capsule separated, allowing the New Shepard capsule to coast above the internationally recognized Karman line, which signifies the boundary of space. The passengers enjoyed the stunning views through the spaceship's expansive windows before returning to their seats for the descent back to Earth. The flight concluded with the capsule safely descending under parachutes, landing closely to its takeoff point, showcasing the successful recovery capabilities of Blue Origin’s reusable technology. This mission further cements Blue Origin's position in the burgeoning suborbital space tourism market. Since its initial human flight in July 2021, the company has completed a total of thirteen missions and sent over seventy passengers to space. Notably, the flight included Allie and Carl Kuehner, marking them as the second married couple to participate in such a journey aboard Blue Origin. Additionally, Owolabi Salis's presence as the first Nigerian-born astronaut emphasizes the increasing diversity in space exploration. With Blue Origin having maintained a singular presence in the suborbital passenger market since mid-2024, following the retirement of rival Virgin Galactic's original spacecraft, the company is poised to continue paving the path for civilian space travel. Blue Origin has not disclosed ticket prices, but estimates suggest they exceed $500,000 per seat. The company's commitment to innovation and safety is evident as it navigates the complexities of facilitating human spaceflight, and as Virgin Galactic prepares to resume operations, a competitive landscape for space tourism is anticipated in the coming years.