Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket launches on Tuesday early morning, carrying passengers Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and place tourism company Blue Origin his brother, Mark Bezos 82-yr-previous feminine aviation pioneer Wally Funk and 18-yr-aged Oliver Daemen from its spaceport around Van Horn, Texas.
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Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket launches on Tuesday early morning, carrying passengers Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and space tourism enterprise Blue Origin his brother, Mark Bezos 82-year-previous female aviation pioneer Wally Funk and 18-12 months-outdated Oliver Daemen from its spaceport around Van Horn, Texas.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong uttered his well-known line on the moon: “That is one particular small action for person, a single giant leap for mankind.” And 52 many years afterwards to the working day, Jeff Bezos or his brother (from the audio, it’s unclear which of the two) questioned as their crew hit zero gravity, “Who would like a Skittle?”
On Tuesday morning, the group blasted off from the desert around Van Horn, Texas, and entered place aboard New Shepard, the start car designed by Bezos’ corporation Blue Origin.
The flight of just above 10 minutes manufactured Amazon founder Bezos the next billionaire to enter space, with the flight also carrying Bezos’ brother, Mark 82-calendar year-old female aviation pioneer Wally Funk and Oliver Daemen, the 18-year-old son of a millionaire. (Just days earlier, Richard Branson traveled to the edge of space aboard a Virgin Galactic spacecraft.)
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An elated crew could be listened to whooping with delight in the history all through the flight. Numerous cries of “Woo!” and “Woo-hoo!” could be read as they passed the Kármán Line, regarded to be the edge of house.
The moment hitting zero gravity, a person of the Bezos brothers can be listened to inquiring the crew associates if they want a Skittle. Soon after quite a few seconds go, the complete capsule erupts in celebratory cheers.
1 of the most expressive passengers aboard was 82-calendar year-old Funk. “Oh, Jeff, look at individuals — it can be darkish up here!” she mentioned throughout the flight.
Possible searching out the window at Earth down below, she said, “Oh my phrase, glance at the earth!”
“There is a quite satisfied team of persons on this capsule,” Bezos advised floor control, pursuing up with a status update: “Joyful, happy, joyful.”
“Very well, that was intensive!” one particular of the Bezos brothers stated on the way down.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule parachutes down to the launch area next its flight into room on Tuesday.
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Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule parachutes down to the start place next its flight into space on Tuesday.
Tony Gutierrez/AP
When the capsule made its return to Earth and strike the ground, a status update summed up every astronaut’s feelings at the moment.
Status, Oliver Daemen: “Great.”
Position, Wally Funk: “We will be Alright.”
Standing, Mark Bezos: “I am unbelievably very good.”
Standing Jeff Bezos: “Best working day at any time.”
Josie Fischels is an intern on NPR’s Information Desk.
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