Blue Origin back in space!

Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin has resumed manned space missions after a two-year hiatus. Today’s launch marks a significant milestone in the company’s history.

Following Elon Musk’s SpaceX achievement of sending the first private crew to space on May 30, 2020, Jeff Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO to lead Blue Origin. On July 20, 2021, Bezos himself flew to space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, safely returning to Earth and earning the astronaut title. However, a thermostructural issue with the escape system’s motor nozzle in September 2022 forced the company to pause its space tourism plans temporarily.

Blue Origin will send a 90-year-old astronaut into space!

Back in Space After Two Years

Today, Blue Origin has restarted its space tourism program with a new manned mission. This launch is the seventh under the New Shepard program and the 25th human flight for the company, marking a pivotal moment in Blue Origin’s timeline.

The crew for today’s flight includes Ed Dwight, who was selected in 1961 by John F. Kennedy to be NASA’s first Black astronaut but never made it to space; Mason Angel, founder of Industrious Ventures; Sylvian Chiron, founder of one of France’s largest craft breweries, Brasserie Mont Blanc; software engineer and entrepreneur Kenneth L. Hess; retired financial advisor Carol Schaller; and Gopi Thotakura, co-founder of Preserve Life Corp.

Launch and Livestream Details

Named NS25, this flight took off from Launch Site One in West Texas and the launch was broadcasted live on their YouTube channel for enthusiasts worldwide.