Blue Origin is gearing up for its next crewed mission, NS-33, which will mark the 13th human spaceflight for the company since its inception in 2021. This mission follows a brief delay attributed to weather conditions, with the launch now targeted for 8:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, June 29. If necessary, backup attempts will be available on subsequent days.
The New Shepard spacecraft, named after astronaut Alan Shepard, stands 60 feet tall and will take a crew of six individuals approximately 60 miles above Earth, providing them with several minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of our planet. Each flight lasts around 11 minutes from launch to landing, featuring a completely autonomous operation without any onboard pilots.
The upcoming passengers include notable figures such as Allie Kuehner, an environmentalist with a focus on bipartisan environmental solutions, and her husband, Carl Kuehner, who leads a real estate development firm. Others on the flight include philanthropist Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno, Jr., CEO of Commodity Cables, financial consultant Owolabi Salis, and retired attorney Jim Sitkin.
Founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin has emerged as a key player in the burgeoning space tourism sector, aiming to compete with rivals like Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The company also plans to launch its larger New Glenn rocket in the future, expanding its capabilities in space exploration.
For those interested in the spaceflight, Blue Origin will stream the launch live on its website, allowing viewers to witness this exciting event from home.
This mission not only highlights advancements in space tourism but also reflects ongoing efforts in commercial spaceflight initiatives, bringing us closer to a future where space travel may become more accessible to a broader audience.