Blue Origin, the space tourism company founded by Jeff Bezos, has achieved another milestone in its pursuit of space travel for the masses. On Thursday, August 29, 2024, Blue Origin launched its eighth human spaceflight, mission NS-26, carrying six space enthusiasts to the edge of space and back. This flight holds a special distinction as it featured the youngest woman ever to venture beyond the Karman Line, the internationally recognized boundary marking the beginning of space at 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth’s surface.
The young space traveler, 21-year-old Karsen Kitchen, is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her participation highlights Blue Origin’s commitment to making space accessible to a wider demographic, including younger generations. The mission utilized Blue Origin’s reusable New Shepard rocket, which launched from the company’s Launch Site One in West Texas at 8:00 a.m. local time (1300 GMT). After reaching its peak altitude, the sleek capsule detached from the booster, providing passengers with a breathtaking view of Earth’s curvature and a brief period of weightlessness. The capsule, known for its spacious interior, offered passengers the unique experience of floating freely in the microgravity environment.
Following the descent, the capsule reentered the atmosphere and deployed parachutes for a controlled landing in the desert near the launch site. The entire flight, from launch to landing, typically lasts approximately 10 to 11 minutes. While Blue Origin has not disclosed specific ticket prices, it is understood that the cost varies depending on factors such as the individual’s profile, financial standing, and potential promotional value they offer the company. The first seat on a Blue Origin flight was sold for $28 million during a 2021 auction, but some high-profile passengers, such as actor William Shatner, have been invited to fly for free. Other passengers have reported paying several hundred thousand dollars for the experience.
Blue Origin’s success in the suborbital tourism sector comes as its main competitor, Virgin Galactic, has taken a two-year hiatus from commercial flights to focus on enhancing its spacecraft fleet. Blue Origin’s continued advancement in space tourism underscores the growing popularity and accessibility of space travel, paving the way for future generations to experience the wonders of space.
