Blue Origin flies six to the edge of space
With six crew members
Blue Origin—the space exploration company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos—marked a significant milestone on November 22, 2024, completing the 28th flight of its New Shepard programme and its ninth human spaceflight.
The NS-28 mission, launched from the company’s facility in West Texas, carried six crew members, including renowned astronaut Emily Calandrelli, alongside returning passengers Sharon Hagle, Marc Hagle, Austin Litteral, James (JD) Russell, and Henry (Hank) Wolfond.
Sharon and Marc Hagle were among the astronauts returning for their second spaceflight aboard New Shepard. Their return highlighted the programme’s ability to offer repeated opportunities for space travel.
With the completion of this mission, Blue Origin has now flown 47 individuals above the Kármán line, the widely accepted boundary of space. The Kármán Line, located at an altitude of 100km above Earth’s sea level, marks the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. Named after physicist Theodore von Kármán, it represents where aerodynamic lift becomes insufficient for aircraft and orbital mechanics take over.
The mission took off precisely as planned, following a successful countdown. It continued Blue Origin’s efforts to democratise space travel and inspire future generations.
Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President for New Shepard, said: “It is always moving to witness an astronaut crew return from space changed by their experience on New Shepard.
“This mission amplifies the importance of STEAM [Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics] and inspiring the next generation. A big thank you to all our customers for helping us advance our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth.”
As with previous flights, the mission featured a custom-designed patch representing the astronauts and their achievements. The patch symbolised the crew’s unique contributions: a pink figure represented Emily Calandrelli, while the centreline in the number “2” signified the Hagles’ second flight.
Stars depicted Austin Litteral’s vision for human exploration, while people at the bottom of the patch represented J.D. Russell’s belief in expanding humanity’s understanding. The wolf in the capsule window was a tribute to Hank Wolfond.
Blue Origin continues to pave the way for future space tourism, with tickets available for those wishing to experience space through the New Shepard programme. Merchandise from the NS-28 mission is also available for those wishing to commemorate the historic flight.
Looking ahead, Blue Origin is already preparing for further missions. The NS-28 flight underscores the company’s success in making space travel increasingly accessible to private citizens. To continue to inspire and educate the next generation of space explorers, Blue Origin remains focused on its long-term vision of building a sustainable human presence beyond Earth.
The New Shepard programme has now flown 43 humans above the Kármán line, expanding humanity’s reach beyond Earth and providing valuable experiences that inspire astronauts and the public alike.
As the space tourism industry grows, Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme is set to play a pivotal role in the future of space exploration.
Hero image: The NS-28 crew (L-R): Sharon Hagle, Marc Hagle, Emily Calandrelli, J.D. Russell, Hank Wolfond, and Austin Litteral. Credit: Blue Origin
Last Updated on 3 weeks by Arnold Pinto
