Current:Home > reviewsBlue Origin shoots 6 tourists into space after nearly 2-year hiatus: Meet the new astronauts -Infinite Edge Learning
Blue Origin shoots 6 tourists into space after nearly 2-year hiatus: Meet the new astronauts
View
Date:2025-04-19 04:12:02
Six tourists shot into the edge of space and became astronauts early Sunday following a nearly two-year layoff after a previous failed uncrewed test flight by the space exploration company Blue Origin.
The scheduled New Shepard flight blasted off at 9:36 a.m. local time from Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Launch Site One about 30 miles north of the town of Van Horn in Culberson County. The facilities are on a private ranch in West Texas.
"A successful crewed mission in the books. #NS25," the NASA-awarded company posted on X just after the rocket lifted off.
The rocket, which flies cargo and humans on short trips to the edge of space, has been grounded since a fall 2022 mission failed in Texas about a minute after liftoff, forcing the rocket's capsule full of NASA experiments to eject mid-flight, according to The El Paso Times, part of the USA TODAY Network.
No injuries were reported when the rocket crashed back to earth, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement, before announcing it would open an investigation in the incident.
Who was the crew on the Blue Origin launch?
"New Shepard has now flown 37 people into space, including today’s crew," the company posted on its website Sunday after the launch.
The NS-25 mission the company's seventh flight to date included the following crew: Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Ken Hess, Carol Schaller, and Gopi Thotakura and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, the first Black astronaut candidate in the United States.
'Forever changed'
"Forever changed," a video posted by Blue Origin on X is captioned, showing the crew unbuckle and float at one point during the mission.
While at zero gravity, some members of the crew toss a hockey puck back and forth, others high five and some spin in circles, the footage shows.
x.com
“A big thank you to our astronaut customers for the opportunity to provide this life-changing experience,” New Shepard Senior Vice President Phil Joyce said in a statement released by Blue Origin. “Each of you are pioneers helping to advance our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth.”
Last year the FAA closed a review of the New Shepard investigation and required Blue Origin to make nearly two dozen corrections before a future mission, including an engine redesign and organizational shifts.
For more information about flying on New Shepard visit BlueOrigin.com.
Contributing: Maria Cortez Gonzalez with the El Paso Times and Jamie Groh and Rick Neale with Florida Today.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.
veryGood! (5466)
Related
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Messi wins record-extending 8th Ballon d’Or, Bonmati takes women’s award
- Iranian teen Armita Geravand, allegedly assaulted by police for flouting strict dress code, has died
- Kylie and Kendall Jenner Are a Sugar and Spice Duo in Risqué Halloween Costumes
- Person accused of accosting Rep. Nancy Mace at Capitol pleads not guilty to assault charge
- An Alaska State Trooper fatally shoots a man seen brandishing a rifle outside motel, authorities say
- Advocates raise privacy, safety concerns as NYPD and other departments put robots on patrol
- Why Bob Saget's Wife Kelly Rizzo Says Matthew Perry’s Death Hit Home for Her
- Friday the 13th luck? 13 past Mega Millions jackpot wins in December. See top 10 lottery prizes
- Boris Johnson’s aide-turned-enemy Dominic Cummings set to testify at UK COVID-19 inquiry
Ranking
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- A gunman holed up at a Japanese post office may be linked to an earlier shooting in a hospital
- Family asks DOJ to investigate March death of Dexter Wade in Mississippi
- Boston Bruins exact revenge on Florida Panthers, rally from 2-goal deficit for overtime win
- FACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan. 6 report misrepresented as proof of FBI setup
- UN peacekeepers have departed a rebel stronghold in northern Mali early as violence increases
- First date at Cheesecake Factory? List of worst date spots hits internet amid hot debate
- NFL trade grades: Breaking down Leonard Williams deal and others through 2023 deadline
Recommendation
Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
Oil and Gas Companies Spill Millions of Gallons of Wastewater in Texas
Can public officials block you on social media? It's up to the Supreme Court
Cooper Flagg, nation's No. 1 recruit, commits to Duke basketball
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Matthew Perry mourned by ‘Friends’ cast mates: ‘We are all so utterly devastated’
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Players to start or sit in Week 9
Tropical Storm Pilar heads toward El Salvador and is expected to bring heavy rain to Central America