Wealthy tycoon Bezos takes an unexpected tumble, stumbling over a rocket and landing on his nose.
In a groundbreaking moment for space tourism, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin, and five other "space travelers" embarked on an eleven-minute voyage aboard the company's New Shepard rocket. This was the 31st launch of the New Shepard since the start of commercial missions in 2015.
Before the launch, Bezos emotionally bid farewell to the crew, expressing his love for them. As the rocket soared into the sky, it was propelled by a BE-3PM engine that produces only water vapor as exhaust. The six "space travelers" were likely not personally funding their spaceflight, as such missions are often sponsored or funded by organisations or governments. The estimated cost for a private individual to undertake such a spaceflight ranges in the tens of millions of dollars.
Upon landing, Bezos safely touched down, breaking his fall with his hands. He landed unharmed and was immediately seen kissing his fiancée, Lauren Sánchez. Despite the excitement, Bezos seemed slightly annoyed by the unwanted comic relief during his landing.
Insiders have suggested that the flight was a promotional event for Blue Origin's space tourism, with doubts that any of the six "Space Girls" paid for their trip to space. Jeff Bezos, however, was more concerned with the personal experiences of his crew. During the descent, he asked them about how the experience had changed them, expressing his interest in their perspectives.
This historic space flight marks a significant step forward in the realm of space tourism, with Blue Origin paving the way for more civilians to experience the thrill of space travel. As the industry continues to evolve, we can expect to see more ambitious projects and milestones being achieved.
