Blue Origin via YouTube.
A group of six people flew together on the New Shepard rocket for the first time this morning, after Blue Shepard successfully launched its third crew of passengers to space. Laura Shepard Churchley is the oldest daughter of Alan Shepard, the first American in space and the namesake for the New Shepard rocket.
New Shepard lifted off from the Blue Origin launch facility in Texas. The flight took just over 10 minutes to land. The six-person crew climbed to an altitude of more than 66 miles above the Earth, which is considered to be above the boundary to space. After a few minutes of weightlessness, the capsule carrying the crew touched down on the Texas desert floor, while the New Shepard successfully landed upright on a landing pad.
Blue Origin had only flown four crews to space before today.
Evan Dick, an engineer and investor, and Lane Bess, the founder of Bess Ventures and Advisory, were included in today's crew. The first father and child duo to ride to space together was Bess and his son. Dylan Taylor is the CEO of the space company, Voyager space. Four people were paying for this flight, and two of them were honored guests. Blue Origin didn't say how much each person paid for their seat.
Blue Origin had only flown four people to space before today. Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and legendary female aviator Wally Funk were both launched in the company's first crewed launch. William Shatner, best known for playing Captain James Kirk on Star Trek, was on the second flight in October.
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The Federal Aviation Administration gives small pins to people who fly over 50 miles, so all six passengers on today's flight should get their wings. The FAA said this week that it would be ending this practice by the end of the year due to the advent of commercial space tourism. Future spacefarers who fly above 50 miles will be listed on the agency's website. Six people on today's flight may be the last fliers to receive the FAA's wings.
The FAA closed an investigation into Blue Origin's safety culture. In October, the FAA opened an investigation after 21 former and current employees at the company wrote an essay accusing Blue Origin of a culture rife with sexual harassment and safety concerns. The FAA told The Verge that it found no specific safety issues after looking into the claims.
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