Blue Origin Successfully Launches Ninth Human Spaceflight with New Shepard

Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has successfully completed its ninth human spaceflight with the New Shepard program, marking its 28th flight overall. The mission launched from Blue Origin’s facility in West Texas, with the flight taking place on Friday morning.

Among the crew members were Emily Calandrelli, Sharon Hagle, Marc Hagle, Austin Litteral, James (J.D.) Russell, and Henry (Hank) Wolfond. Notably, Sharon and Marc Hagle made their second journey into space with Blue Origin. Calandrelli, a popular science communicator and TV host, was visibly moved by the experience, sharing her emotions post-flight. ‘When we got to weightlessness, I immediately turned upside down and looked at the planet… It was just beautiful,’ she expressed tearfully.

The launch, which occurred around 10:30 AM EST, was a high-speed ascent to the edge of space. The passengers experienced approximately three minutes of weightlessness, providing them an opportunity to marvel at the Earth from above, before the capsule’s descent back to the launch site.

The Hagles’ participation in the mission marked a return for the couple, who were the first married pair to fly on a commercial space vehicle. Their first flight was on the NS-20 mission in March 2022. Sharon Hagle is the founder of SpaceKids Global, an initiative focused on inspiring children in STEAM education. Marc Hagle is the president and CEO of Tricor International, a significant player in property development.

Austin Litteral was among the trip’s newcomers, securing his place via a contest conducted by Whatnot, a popular livestream shopping platform. Litteral’s enthusiasm for space was fueled from a young age, having admired NASA’s shuttle launches as a child.

The mission’s success adds to Blue Origin’s track record, having now sent 47 people to space. Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President for New Shepard, emphasized the significance of such missions in inspiring future generations. ‘This mission amplifies the importance of STEAM and inspiring the next generation,’ he said.

The New Shepard program continues to pave the way for commercial space travel, offering opportunities for civilians to experience space firsthand. Details on ticket prices remain undisclosed, but interest in Blue Origin’s spaceflights continues to grow.

Blue Origin’s activities can be followed through their various social media platforms and website, where they offer up-to-date information on their missions and initiatives.