A short trip into space – that’s the promise of Blue Origin, the space company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The first manned capsule is scheduled to fly into space in the summer. The special feature: There is still an open seat for a tourist.
Travel is not too easy at the moment – and the choice of destinations is also severely limited in view of the pandemic. Many people are longing for a bit of variety and relaxation.
For one citizen of the earth, however, wanderlust should soon come to an end. Because on July 20, 2021, the first astronaut crew from Blue Origin is scheduled to launch into space – including one space tourist.
Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The company now has 3,500 employees, compared with around 400 in 2015. Blue Origin’s stated goal is to make access to space cheaper and more reliable – with the help of reusable rockets.
Only 4 minutes of weightlessness
The space company now wants to turn this goal into reality. On July 20, 2021, the astronaut capsule “New Shepard” is to take humans into space for the first time. So far, the rocket has successfully survived 15 unmanned test flights.
The “New Shepard” is powered by a small, reusable rocket. After reaching flight altitude, it separates from the passenger capsule and returns to Earth. The manned capsule sails to the Earth’s surface with the help of parachutes.
The journey is expected to take about ten minutes. The “New Shepard” will carry its crew to an altitude of just over 100 kilometers and then return to Earth.
For about four minutes, the crew and their companion will dwell above the Kármán line. There – above the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space – they can briefly experience weightlessness.
Blue Origin auctions off a flight into space
In addition to the crew, a space tourist is also to go on board. To this end, the company is auctioning off a seat in the space capsule. Interested parties can bid here until May 19, 2021. The winner will then be announced on June 12, 2021.
Proceeds from the auction will go to the in-house Club for the Future Foundation.
