There is a subtle space race happening among the world’s wealthiest individuals. Prominent CEOs like Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and Richard Branson are vying to establish a commercial space tourism industry. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are all in the race, but Blue Origin appears to be leading the pack. The company’s founder, Jeff Bezos, has announced that he will be on the inaugural flight of the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket capsule.
Bezos shared on his Instagram that he will be part of a six-person crew on the upcoming voyage, scheduled for next month, shortly after he steps down as Amazon’s CEO. His brother, Mark Bezos, will also be on board for the historic journey.
“Since I was five years old, I’ve always had a dream of space travel,” Bezos expressed. “On July 20th, I will embark on this journey with my brother. It’s the ultimate adventure with my closest companion.”
Bezos emphasized the transformative impact of seeing Earth from space, stating, “It alters your perspective on this planet and humanity. It emphasizes that we all share one Earth. This flight is a lifelong aspiration and a significant milestone for me.”
Jeff Bezos is heading to space. The Amazon founder and CEO says he will be aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft for its first human flight next month. https://t.co/vraDsPISuP
— The Associated Press (@AP) June 7, 2021
The New Shepard is set to ascend to the edge of Earth’s atmosphere, approximately 60 miles above the surface, during an 11-minute flight. A successful maiden voyage could mark the commencement of Blue Origin’s commercial space tourism operations. The pricing for these space tours is yet to be disclosed, with an ongoing auction for a coveted seat reaching $2.8 million. Hopefully, the final ticket price will be more accessible to the general public.
