Blue Origin Spaceflight launch live: When and where to watch
Private aerospace firm Blue Origin is preparing for another ambitious leap into suborbital space with its next human mission scheduled for Sunday, June 29. Dubbed NS-33, this will be the 13th crewed flight by the Jeff Bezos-founded company, continuing its journey in
space tourism
and commercial space operations, as per a report by USA Today.
Launch Rescheduled Due to Weather Conditions
Originally slated for June 21, the
Blue Origin rocket
launch was delayed multiple times owing to 'persistent high winds' in West Texas. The new targeted liftoff time for NS-33 is 8:30 AM ET on June 29, with backup windows available for Monday, June 30, according to the Federal Aviation Administration, as mentioned in a report by USA Today.
The launch will take place at Blue Origin's Launch Site One, a private facility located over 140 miles east of El Paso, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
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Watch the Launch Live Online
Enthusiasts and space watchers can witness the event live through Blue Origin's official website. The webcast is expected to begin approximately 30 minutes before the scheduled launch, offering real-time coverage of the countdown, liftoff, and capsule recovery.
About Blue Origin and the New Shepard System
Founded by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin has become a significant player in the private spaceflight sector, competing with Elon Musk's SpaceX. The New Shepard rocket, named after pioneering American astronaut Alan Shepard, is a reusable 60-foot-tall spacecraft designed for brief suborbital missions.
Live Events
Bezos himself was part of the first crewed New Shepard flight in July 2021, a milestone that launched the company's space tourism arm. Since then, over 60 individuals have flown aboard New Shepard across various missions.
The rocket operates autonomously, with no pilots onboard. The total flight duration is about 11 minutes, including a few minutes of weightlessness for the crew, just above the internationally recognized boundary of space, known as the Kármán Line (approximately 62 miles or 100 km above Earth).
NS-33 Crew Roster: Diverse Backgrounds on Board
The six-person team selected for NS-33 includes a mix of entrepreneurs, environmentalists, and professionals:
Allie Kuehner – Environmental advocate and board member of "Nature is Nonpartisan".
Carl Kuehner – Real estate executive and chairman of Building and Land Technology.
Leland Larson – Former transportation CEO and philanthropist from Oregon.
Freddie Rescigno Jr. – CEO of electrical firm Commodity Cables.
Owolabi Salis – Legal and financial consultant.
Jim Sitkin – Retired lawyer from California.
The Flight Experience: From Supersonic to Soft Landing
The mission begins with a vertical liftoff, where the New Shepard rocket reaches over 2,000 mph. After the booster detaches, the capsule coasts into space, allowing passengers to experience microgravity. The booster autonomously returns and lands upright using fins and reverse thrusters.
Meanwhile, the crew capsule floats back under three large parachutes, landing gently in the desert of West Texas.
Blue Origin's Expanding Horizons
Beyond space tourism, Blue Origin is also advancing its orbital program with the massive New Glenn rocket, which completed its inaugural test from Cape Canaveral earlier this year. As the private space race accelerates, Blue Origin's dual-track focus on suborbital flights and orbital ambitions continues to position it as a major industry contender.
FAQs
What is Blue Origin's NS-33 mission?
NS-33 is Blue Origin's 13th human spaceflight mission, part of its New Shepard program focused on suborbital tourism and commercial space operations.
When is the NS-33 rocket launch scheduled?
The launch is set for Sunday, June 29, at 8:30 AM ET, with a backup window available for Monday, June 30, depending on weather conditions.
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