Blue Origin Announces Tourist Space Trip with Michael Strahan & First Parent-Child Duo

Blue Origin Announces Upcoming Human Spaceflight

Blue Origin has revealed details regarding its forthcoming crewed space mission, scheduled for December 9th. This launch will feature a crew of six individuals. It marks the inaugural occasion for Blue Origin to utilize the full six-passenger capacity of its New Shepard reusable rocket and capsule.

Crew Manifest

The selected group for this space journey encompasses a diverse range of individuals. These include Michael Strahan, co-host of Good Morning America; Laura Shepard Churchley, the daughter of pioneering astronaut Alan Shepard; Dylan Taylor, CEO of Voyager Space; Evan Dick, managing member of Dick Holdings; and the father-son duo, Lane Bess and Cameron Bess.

A Historic First

Consistent with Blue Origin’s history of achieving milestones in human spaceflight, this mission will be groundbreaking. It will represent the first instance of a parent and child traveling to space together. Lane Bess, founder and principal of Bess Ventures, will be joined by his son, Cameron Bess, a software developer and content creator.

Upper L to R: Lane Bess, Cameron Bess, Evan Dick; Lower L to R: Dylan Taylor, Laura Shepard Churchley, Michael Strahan. Image Credits: Blue Origin

Third Human Spaceflight This Year

This mission constitutes Blue Origin’s third human spaceflight endeavor, and the third within the current year. New Shepard previously accommodated two crews of four passengers each. The first included Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin and Amazon. The second, launched in October, carried William Shatner, alongside Audrey Powers from Blue Origin, Chris Boshuizen of DCVC, and Glen de Vries of Medidata, who sadly passed away in a plane crash shortly after.

Launch Frequency and Cost

The frequency of these launches by Blue Origin is noteworthy, particularly considering the substantial cost associated with each ticket. By maximizing passenger capacity to six, the company is likely enhancing its profitability. This could potentially lead to more accessible pricing for future space travelers, though it will remain a significant luxury.

The New Shepard Experience

Blue Origin’s New Shepard system transports passengers to the boundary of space. The flight remains suborbital, offering several minutes of weightlessness and exceptional views of Earth. The capsule then descends, utilizing parachutes for a controlled landing in the West Texas desert.