The Amazon ex-CEO’s rocket firm is sending another group of amateur astronauts into space in October. Read to know about the new Blue Origin flight scheduled for October 12.
Bezos’ space firm second group to fly to space
Just like the last time, this new Blue Origin flight will transport four space tourists about 62 miles into space in the firm’s New Shepard rocket. The lucky crew will get to experience weightlessness firsthand before they get back to Earth.
On Monday, Blue Origin disclosed the identities of two customers who bought the seats on the flight. “New Shepard’s 18th mission, NS-18, will lift off on Tuesday, October 12, carrying four astronauts to space and back, including Dr. Chris Boshuizen and Glen de Vries,” stated Blue Origin. The firm will shortly release information on two more passengers. However, the firm did not respond to questions on how much the ticket cost them.
Who are the four astronauts to fly on the new Blue Origin flight?
Dr. Boshuizen is a former NASA engineer and the co-founder of Planet Labs. Additionally, de Vries is the Vice-Chair, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Dassault Systèmes, and the co-founder of Medidata. “This is a fulfillment of my greatest childhood dream,” exclaimed Dr. Boshuizen. “More importantly, though, I see this flight as an opportunity to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM and catalyze the next generation of space explorers. After all, our future of life in space is in their very capable hands,” he added.
The co-founder of Medidata-the world’s most used clinical research platform was just as excited. “I’ve spent my entire career working to extend people’s lives. However, with limited materials and energy on Earth, extending our reach into space can help humanity continue to thrive,” said de Vries. “Furthermore, astronauts can experience the ‘overview effect’. Gaining a new perspective on how fragile and precious our planet, those resources, and our civilization are. Playing a part in advancing the space industry and one day making those resources and that understanding available to everyone, is an incredible opportunity,” he added.