Astronaut wannabes aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket reach the borders of earth's atmosphere for a thrilling sub-orbital journey.
Blue Origin's suborbital passenger flights continue to soar with the twelfth human space voyage, marking the 32nd overall mission for the New Shepard spacecraft. On May 31, 2025, an international crew of four men and two women embarked on a breathtaking journey to the edge of space, enjoying weightlessness and mesmerizing views of Earth before their return.
The New Shepard spacecraft, equipped with the largest operational windows, reached an altitude of nearly 65 miles, transcending the internationally recognized boundary between the atmosphere and space. Passengers experienced about three minutes of weightlessness as they coasted upwards, marveling at the expanse of space and the wealth of undiscovered mysteries.
The Spacecraft's hydrogen-fueled booster roared to life at 9:39 a.m. EDT and quickly Escaped the West Texas launch site, accelerating to over 2,000 mph before releasing the New Shepard spacecraft. Upon release, the crew members experienced moments of weightlessness before their descent. The reusable New Shepard booster, meanwhile, continued its upward trajectory, ultimately landing picture-perfectly on a landing pad near the launch site.
The gumdrop-shaped New Shepard capsule gracefully descended under three parachutes and touched down in the West Texas desert ten minutes after liftoff. One of the passengers exclaimed, "You guys, we did it!"
Since its debut in July 2021, Blue Origin has launched 64 passengers on suborbital flights, including notable figures such as William Shatner and Katy Perry. In contrast, Virgin Galactic, founded by Richard Branson, has temporarily paused its suborbital flights to focus on developing two upgraded Delta-class spacecraft. No specific timeline has been announced for the resumption of flights.
Although space travel remains a luxury, the exact cost of flying aboard a New Shepard has not been disclosed by Blue Origin, with estimates placing it at over $500,000 per seat. Aymette Medina Jorge, a Mexican traveler sponsored by Farmacias Similares, one of the passengers, presumably paid for her seat, while her fellow crew members presumably covered their own expenses.
William Harwood, a veteran U.S. space program journalist, covered the event and noted the passengers' enthusiasm and awe regarding their incredible journey. The passengers expressed a newfound appreciation for the vastness of space and the opportunities for further exploration.
Industry leader Elon Musk, through his company SpaceX, is not currently involved in suborbital passenger flights. SpaceX has become a forerunner in reusable rocket technology, orbital missions, cargo delivery, and crewed missions to the International Space Station with its Crew Dragon spacecraft. SpaceX also has ambitious plans for lunar and Mars missions. In comparison, Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic advance the cause of tourism-oriented suborbital flights.
The passengers aboard the New Shepard spacecraft, embarking on a journey to the edge of space, expressed a newfound appreciation for the vastness of space and the opportunities for further exploration, marking a significant contribution to the field of space tourism. As the exact cost of flying aboard a New Shepard remains undisclosed, the experience of space travel continues to be a luxury affordable by a select few, similar to the company's counterparts in the industry.
With the continuous advancements in science, technology, and space-and-astronomy, news of these suborbital passenger flights brings great health for the growing interest in space exploration and the future of human endeavors beyond our planet.
