Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has announced the launch date for its next crewed mission on the New Shepard suborbital spaceship. The mission is set to include six spacefliers and will take off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Sunday. Among the crew members is Ed Dwight, a 90-year-old retired military test pilot who could become the oldest person to take a suborbital space trip, breaking a record set by William Shatner in 2021. Dwight’s flight is sponsored by two nonprofit organizations: Space for Humanity and the Jaison and Jamie Robinson Foundation.
The other members of the NS-25 mission crew include venture capitalist Mason Angel, French brewery founder Sylvain Chiron, software engineer Kenneth L. Hess, retired CPA and adventure traveler Carol Schaller, and airplane pilot and entrepreneur Gopi Thotakura. The NS-25 patch reflects the crew’s interests and includes symbols representing their passions and careers. The mission is expected to follow the standard New Shepard flight plan, allowing spacefliers to experience zero-gravity and view the Earth from the capsule’s windows before a parachuted landing.
Following a temporary suspension of New Shepard flights in 2022 due to a launch anomaly, Blue Origin has made several corrective actions, including a redesign of the booster’s engine and nozzle. The successful completion of an uncrewed mission last December paved the way for the resumption of crewed flights. Blue Origin keeps its flight arrangements private, and the company has not disclosed the amount its spaceflight customers are paying. Bezos mentioned after the first crewed flight that the company was close to $100 million in private sales, indicating high demand for their spaceflights.
The NS-25 mission represents Blue Origin’s first crewed mission since the incident in 2022, and the company is looking forward to restarting its space tourism ventures. The standard flight plan for the mission will include a few minutes of zero-gravity for the crew members before a safe landing with parachutes and airbags. The booster stage of the New Shepard will autonomously land back at the launch site. Blue Origin’s commitment to space exploration and tourism is evident through their continued efforts to ensure the safety and success of their missions. The upcoming flight will mark an important milestone for the company and its crew of spacefliers.
Blue Origin’s dedication to advancing spaceflight technology and providing commercial spaceflights is evident in their efforts to resume crewed missions. The company’s focus on safety and innovation has allowed them to overcome setbacks and continue their progress in the space industry. By sponsoring nonprofit organizations and providing opportunities for individuals to experience space travel, Blue Origin is contributing to the advancement of space exploration. The NS-25 mission will offer an exciting and memorable experience for the crew members and further establish Blue Origin as a leader in the commercial spaceflight industry.
