Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin triumphs with 8th successful space tourism voyage
Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
Blue Origin Completes Eighth Human Spaceflight
Blue Origin successfully conducted its eighth human spaceflight, mission NS-26, carrying six passengers to the edge of space and back. The flight marks another milestone for the company in the growing suborbital tourism market.
Credit : Blue Origin
Youngest Woman Reaches Space
Karsen Kitchen, a 21-year-old senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, became the youngest woman ever to cross the Karman Line, the boundary recognized as the edge of space, located 100 kilometres (62 miles) above Earth.
Credit : Blue Origin
Launch Details
The New Shepard rocket launched at 8:00 am local time from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in west Texas. The rocket is designed to emit zero carbon emissions, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.
Credit : Blue Origin
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Flight Experience for Passengers
After liftoff, the capsule separated from the booster, allowing passengers to experience weightlessness as they floated and observed Earth’s curvature from space, offering them a unique and awe-inspiring perspective.
Credit : Blue Origin
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Safe Landing and Flight Duration
The capsule re-entered Earth’s atmosphere and safely deployed parachutes for a controlled landing in the desert near the launch site. The entire flight lasted approximately 10 to 11 minutes.
Credit : Blue Origin
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Cost of Space Tourism with Blue Origin
Blue Origin does not disclose ticket prices, but they are believed to vary widely depending on the passenger’s profile. The first seat sold at a charity auction in 2021 fetched $28 million, though some passengers, like actor William Shatner, have flown for free.
Blue Origin vs. Virgin Galactic
Blue Origin’s primary competitor in the suborbital space tourism market, Virgin Galactic, is currently on a two-year hiatus from commercial operations as it undergoes fleet upgrades.
Credit : Blue Origin
Significance of the Flight
This mission reinforces Blue Origin’s commitment to making space tourism more accessible and positions the company as a leading player in the burgeoning industry.
Credit : Blue Origin