Blue Origin, the space exploration company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has successfully launched six passengers to the edge of space from its facility in Texas on July 20, marking New Shepard’s 38th flight and 17th human mission. In just 11 minutes, these passengers experienced the breathtaking beauty and vastness of the Earth from the outer reaches of our planet’s atmosphere.
This historic mission, named NS-17, was a significant milestone for Blue Origin as it marked the first time the company carried passengers on board its New Shepard rocket. And what better day to carry out this momentous feat than on the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, a monumental day for space exploration.
The six passengers on board were a diverse group representing different backgrounds and professions, including Jeff Bezos himself, his brother Mark Bezos, and 82-year-old aviation pioneer Wally Funk. The other passengers were 18-year-old student Oliver Daemen, who became the youngest person to travel to space, and 64-year-old private equity executive Mark Bezos. Each of these individuals played a crucial role in making this mission a success, and their experience was nothing short of extraordinary.
The New Shepard rocket took off at 9:12 am EDT, blasting off from the company’s Launch Site One in West Texas. As the rocket soared towards the edge of space, it reached a maximum altitude of 66 miles, surpassing the Kármán line, which is considered the official boundary of space. The passengers were able to experience weightlessness for a few minutes, floating in the capsule before returning back to Earth. The capsule then landed safely with the help of parachutes while the rocket descended back to the launch site via a controlled landing.
The entire journey lasted only 11 minutes, but it was an unforgettable experience for the passengers. Jeff Bezos shared his thoughts upon returning to Earth, “I want to thank every Amazon employee and every Amazon customer because you guys paid for all of this. Seriously, for every Amazon customer out there and every Amazon employee, thank you from the bottom of my heart, very much. It’s very appreciated.”
Blue Origin’s ultimate goal is to make space travel accessible to everyone and to inspire future generations to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The company has been testing its rockets and spacecraft for years, and this successful mission is a significant step towards achieving that goal.
Moreover, Blue Origin has also been working on developing a reusable rocket system, making space travel more cost-effective and sustainable. As Jeff Bezos said, “We are going to build a road to space so that our children can build the future.” This vision of making space travel accessible and affordable for future generations is what sets Blue Origin apart from other space exploration companies.
This mission also had a significant impact on the local community in Texas, with the launch site being located in a remote area. It brought economic growth and job opportunities to the area, and the company also made generous donations to local schools and organizations. Blue Origin’s presence in the community has been welcomed with open arms, and it is clear that they are not only focused on space exploration but also on creating a positive impact in the areas they operate.
In addition to this successful human mission, Blue Origin is also working on other ambitious projects, including the New Glenn rocket, which is designed to carry large payloads into orbit. The company has also partnered with NASA to develop a lunar lander for the Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the moon in 2024. With these projects in the works, it is evident that Blue Origin is committed to pushing the boundaries of space exploration and making new breakthroughs in the field.
In conclusion, Blue Origin’s successful launch of the NS-17 mission is a significant achievement not just for the company, but for the entire space exploration industry. It marks a new era of space travel, where it is becoming more accessible to the general public. This mission is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and passion of the Blue Origin team, and it is just the beginning of what is to come. As Wally Funk, the 82-year-old passenger, said after her flight, “It was just an amazing, amazing experience. I loved every minute of it. I just wish it had been longer.” We can only imagine what more incredible feats Blue Origin will achieve in the future, and we eagerly await the next
