Blue Origin Launch: Jeff Bezos Goes to Space

Blue Origin's Inaugural Human Spaceflight

Blue Origin is preparing for a historic launch, marking the first time its New Shepard spacecraft will carry a human crew. This mission, scheduled for Tuesday, will include Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, alongside his brother and two pioneering astronauts.

The launch livestream is planned to begin at 6:30 a.m. CDT (7:30 a.m. EDT/4:30 a.m. PDT). However, the targeted liftoff time is 8 a.m. CDT (9 a.m. EDT/6 a.m. PDT).

Flight Details

The flight path will commence with a vertical takeoff from Blue Origin’s facility in West Texas. The New Shepard will then ascend to an altitude of approximately 62 miles above the Earth.

Passengers, including Bezos, his brother Mark, Wally Funk (age 82), and Oliver Daemen (age 18), will experience a period of three to four minutes of weightlessness within the capsule.

Following this, the capsule will descend back to Earth, utilizing parachutes to slow its descent. A landing is anticipated in the West Texas desert, where Blue Origin personnel will conduct recovery operations.

A Milestone Flight

While the flight sequence and duration are consistent with the 15 previous New Shepard missions, this launch is unique. It represents the first instance of human passengers being onboard, including the individual currently ranked as the world’s wealthiest.

Consequently, this mission is garnering significant attention and is considered a pivotal moment for Blue Origin’s space tourism endeavors.