Blue Origin, led by Bezos, set to launch first crew to edge of space following 2022 grounding

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, is set to make a historic launch on Sunday as it sends its first crew of humans to the edge of space since 2022. The crew, consisting of six individuals, will be seated in a capsule atop Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, scheduled to liftoff from the company’s launch facilities in Van Horn, Texas.

Among the crew is Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate selected by former U.S. president John Kennedy in 1961. This mission marks his first journey to space, fulfilling a lifelong dream. The other passengers are paying customers of Blue Origin’s space tourism business, with Dwight’s seat sponsored by a space-focused nonprofit and a private foundation.

Once the rocket separates from the capsule, the crew will experience weightlessness as they float around the pod before descending back to Earth under parachutes. This mission will increase Blue Origin’s private astronaut headcount to 37, showcasing the company’s commitment to space tourism.

The resumption of crewed flights comes after the grounding of New Shepard in 2022 due to a mid-flight failure. Following an investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, Blue Origin made necessary corrective actions to ensure the safety and reliability of its rockets.

As Blue Origin continues to expand its space capabilities, including the development of the larger rocket New Glenn, the company aims to compete with industry giants like SpaceX. With Jeff Bezos at the helm, Blue Origin is poised to make significant strides in the commercial space sector.