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Jeff Bezos Completes Trip To The Edge Of Space On Blue Origin’s Maiden Flight
By Alexa Heah, 21 Jul 2021
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Image via Blue Origin
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, together with three other private citizens, officially became astronauts when they crossed the Kármán Line aboard Blue Origin’s first crewed flight on July 20, on the 52nd anniversary of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landing on the Moon.
Inside the capsule with Bezos was his brother, Mark, pilot Wally Funk – who also became the world’s oldest person ever to be in space, and 18-year-old customer Oliver Daemen – who was the youngest ever person to fly to space. The Bezos brothers also became the first siblings to fly in space together.
According to CNET, about three minutes after liftoff, the crew experienced weightlessness and touched the edge of space, with hoots and hollers erupting from the cabin on the live broadcast. The four members now join the ranks of just 570 people who’ve been to space.
The capsule aboard the New Shepard rocket reached a peak altitude of approximately 66 miles, before calmly falling back down to Earth. It landed in the West Texas desert seven minutes after takeoff.
“I am unbelievably good. Best. Day. Ever,” said Bezos upon touching down.
To watch a replay of the crew’s trip to the edge of space, click here.
[via CNET, cover image via Blue Origin]
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