Latest news with #NS-32
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin prepares for next human flight: Where to watch launch in Texas
Six more space tourists are preparing to join the growing ranks of civilians who have flown on a Blue Origin rocket to the edge of space. The vehicle they'll ride to orbit, Blue Origin's New Shepard, is the same one that 58 others have ridden to space on 11 previous human spaceflights from the company's west Texas facility. The New Shepard's maiden voyage in July 2021 with a crew even included billionaire Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, who also owns the space technology company. New Shepard is composed of both a rocket and a crew capsule, which is outfitted with large windows for its passengers to glimpse spectacular views that most of us will never see. The rest of us will instead have to content ourselves with watching the mission on solid ground. Fortunately, a town just south of the launch site may provide a few public places to catch the launch and spaceflight. Here's everything to know about Blue Origin's next human spaceflight and how to potentially see it in person. When is the next Blue Origin launch? What to know about New Shepard liftoff, crew Billionaire Jeff Bezos, best known for founding Amazon, is the founder of the private space technology company Blue Origin. Bezos himself even boarded Blue Origin's New Shepard for its maiden crewed voyage in July 2021, which came after the spacecraft flew on 15 flight tests beginning in 2012. For nearly four years since its first crewed mission, the New Shepard spacecraft has served as a powerful symbol of Blue Origin's commercial spaceflight ambitions amid a growing space tourism industry. In addition to sending space tourists on brief joy rides to the edge of space, Blue Origin has also increasingly sought to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX. Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket, which flew on its inaugural flight test in January, is also being developed for future spaceflights. At 320 feet tall, the spacecraft rivals SpaceX's 400-foot Starship in size. Blue Origin's next crewed launch, known as NS-32, could get off the ground as early as 8:30 a.m. CT (9:30 a.m. ET) Saturday, May 31, the company announced announced Tuesday, May 27. Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launches take place from the company's private ranch facility known as Launch Site One. The facility is located 30 miles north of the town of Van Horn in Culberson County – more than 140 miles east of El Paso near the U.S.-Mexico border. Blue Origin does not provide any public viewing areas for launches at or near its facility, which is located in a remote desert. Van Horn, the nearest town, is too far away to see the launch pad itself, but is likely the best place to see a New Shepard rocket soar into the sky. The town's visitors bureau advertises Blue Origin on its homepage and its brochure as an attraction, but does not list any public viewing locations for launches. The USA TODAY Network left a message Thursday, May 29 with the visitor's bureau seeking more information. In the meantime, here is a list of public places in and around Van Horn listed as attractions on the visitors' bureau website where spectators might be able to see a rocket taking off: Van Horn city park, 3rd and Austin Streets Okey D. Lucas Memorial Park, 1804 W. Broadway St., Van Horn Guadalupe Mountains National Park, located about 60 miles north of Van Horn in Dell City and 40 miles north of the launch site, the park bordering New Mexico has the highest point in Texas. Here's a look at the passengers on the next Blue Origin spaceflight: Aymette (Amy) Medina Jorge, a STEM teacher at Odyssey Academy in Galveston, Texas, who has led more than 60 zero-gravity space experiments. Gretchen Green, a radiologist specializing in women's imaging with more than 20 years of clinical experience. Jaime Alemán, a Panamanian attorney, businessman and former ambassador to the United States. Jesse Williams, a Canadian entrepreneur and adventurer who serves as CEO of Car History Group, which he founded in 2012. Mark Rocket, an entrepreneur from Christchurch, New Zealand, who is CEO of Kea Aerospace, which develops solar-powered UAVs for aerial imaging and monitoring, and president of Aerospace New Zealand. Paul Jeris, a real estate developer and entrepreneur Each spaceflight on a New Shepard vehicle lasts about 11 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown. Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, the 60-foot-tall New Shepard rocket is topped with the gum drop-shaped crew capsule. During its ascent, the spacecraft reaches supersonic speeds surpassing 2,000 mph before the rocket booster separates from the crew capsule. At that point, those aboard the capsule become weightless as the spacecraft continues toward its highest point on its brief voyage above the Kármán Line – the 62-mile-high internationally recognized boundary of space. While experiencing a few minutes of microgravity, passengers have the opportunity to unstrap themselves from their seats to gaze out the capsule's large windows and take in a stunning view of Earth. Meanwhile, the rocket booster heads back to the ground while firing its engines and using its fins to slow and control its descent to land vertical about two miles from the launchpad. The capsule itself eventually begins what Blue Origin refers to as a "stable freefall' – plummeting back to Earth as three massive parachutes deploy and the capsule makes a soft landing in the desert, sending up plumes of dust. Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@ This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Is there a Blue Origin launch today? Where to see liftoff from Texas
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Mars settlement and more: Global space leaders will tackle big ideas next week at ISDC 2025
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Space visionaries, scientists, entrepreneurs and students from around the world will gather in Florida next week for this year's International Space Development Conference. The conference — ISDC 2025 — will be held from June 19 to June 22 at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Organized by the National Space Society (NSS), this year's conference promises to be a pivotal gathering for those passionate about accelerating humanity's future in space. ISDC 2025 will explore cutting-edge innovations, ambitious missions and collaborative strategies that aim to make space settlement and exploration a reality. The theme for this year's conference — "Together, Beyond!" — reflects collaboration across sectors and borders as humanity pushes further into the final frontier. Among the award recipients is editor-in-chief Tariq Malik, who will be receiving the NSS Space Pioneer Award, which recognizes individuals who have helped open the space frontier. "Tariq is one of a kind — truly an ace space reporter who gets it right every time without bias or an agenda," Rod Pyle, editor-in-chief of the National Space Society's quarterly print magazine Ad Astra, said in a statement announcing Malik as this year's award recipient. "His passion for space is unmatched, and his expertise is as broad and deep as anyone I've met. Being in charge of a 24-hour specialty news outlet is no easy task, but he makes it seem so." ISDC 2025 speakers will tackle critical topics, including expanding global collaboration and access to space, developing spacefaring communities, space health, sustainability and the reality of settling on the moon, Mars and beyond. Sessions will also address the need for planetary defense strategies for protecting Earth against dangerous asteroids. For more information, including registration details, pricing and a full list of speakers and scheduled events, visit the conference page online. Notable speakers include: Pascal Lee, planetary scientist and Mars exploration expert: Lee works with the SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) Institute, the Mars Institute and NASA's Ames Research Center as a planetary scientist. He is also vice president of planetary development at NSS and chief scientist at Ceres Robotics, a NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) industry provider. At the conference, Lee will participate in a panel focused on space settlement ideas and will also lead the Mars session. Gretchen Green, physician, educator, and commercial astronaut: Green flew aboard Blue Origin's NS-32 suborital mission on May 31, making history as the first woman physician commercial astronaut. A radiologist with over 20 years of experience, she brings a unique perspective to spaceflight, combining medical expertise with a passion for exploration. At the conference, she will be a speaker at the Many Roads to Space session, dedicated to human settlement of the final frontier. Jared Isaacman, mission commander, Polaris Dawn & Inspiration4: Isaacman is a pioneering astronaut and pilot with over 7,000 flight hours. He commanded Inspiration4 — the first all-civilian space mission — and the Polaris Dawn mission, on which he completed the first private astronaut spacewalk. He was also President Trump's selection to be NASA administrator until May 31, when the White House withdrew his nomination. Isaacman will speak during Saturday's dinner reception. Susan Kilrain, former NASA astronaut: Kilrain is a former NASA astronaut, navy test pilot and one of only three women to pilot the space shuttle. An aerospace engineer and recipient of the Defense Superior Service Medal, Kilrain now serves as a motivational speaker, STEM advocate, and author of the children's book "An Unlikely Astronaut." She will speak during multiple sessions, including an astronaut panel and NextGen session on Saturday afternoon. Robert "Hoot" Gibson, former NASA chief astronaut: Gibson is a former Navy fighter pilot, test pilot and NASA astronaut. Selected as an astronaut in 1978, he flew five space shuttle missions — four as mission commander — including the first U.S. docking with Russia's Mir space station in 1995. Gibson's career spans over 60 years, with more than 14,000 flight hours in more than 160 aircraft. He brings deep operational knowledge and mentorship in crewed spaceflight, and will speak in multiple sessions during the conference. Shawna Pandya, Director of Medical Research Orbital Assembly Corporation: Pandya is set to become the first named female commercial Canadian astronaut, with a planned Virgin Galactic flight as early as 2026. She is an emergency physician, aquanaut and expert in space medicine. She has led or contributed to numerous spaceflight and analog missions, including underwater aquanaut expeditions and commercial spacesuit testing in zero gravity. She will be leading the Launchpad Talks session, which aims to discuss some of the newest and most exciting ideas in space exploration, development and settlement.
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Two Astronauts On Why You Should Visit Space Camp In Huntsville
These 2 became real astronauts after attending Space Camp as kids. If you're seeking a travel experience that sparks your imagination and immerses you in the past, present, and future of space exploration, consider visiting Huntsville, Alabama. Known as Rocket City, this vibrant Southern hub is home to the U.S. Space & Rocket Center—and, more importantly, to the legendary Space Camp. This is not a museum where you walk through exhibits and read plaques (though it does have one of the most impressive collections of space artifacts in the country). Space Camp is an experience—a hands-on, high-energy, simulator-filled adventure where guests of all ages can step into the boots of astronauts, engineers, and mission commanders. For kids, it's a chance to dream big. For adults, it's an opportunity to reconnect with childhood wonder, push limits, and learn something new. And for some, like Dr. Gretchen Green and Aymette Medina Jorge, it's a starting point for an actual journey to space. Both women flew aboard Blue Origin's recent NS-32 mission. Both trace their achievements back to Space Camp. Gretchen Green was just 12 years old when she first arrived in Huntsville in 1986. She would return three more times, eventually becoming a camp counselor. Today, she's not only a practicing radiologist and entrepreneur—she's also a board member of the U.S. Space & Rocket Center Education Foundation. The trajectory from camper to astronaut is not something she takes lightly. 'It felt like a magical place—where kids like me could step into roles usually reserved for adults and dive into big, complex ideas,' she says. 'At Space Camp, I told my counselor I wanted to be a mission commander. It was outside my comfort zone—but I wanted to lead.' She did, and she thrived, eventually earning awards like Outstanding Trainee and the Right Stuff Award. That mindset—of volunteering before you're ready, asking questions, and stepping into leadership—has stayed with her throughout her life and career. While Green always dreamed of space, her path took a practical turn. She became a physician and didn't discover radiology, a tech-heavy, physics-driven specialty, until medical school. When the field's famously difficult physics exam loomed, she remembered her time at Space Camp. 'If science could get humans to the moon,' she thought, 'I could learn the physics I needed.' Aymette Medina Jorge, a public school teacher from Texas, discovered Space Camp later in life through an educator program. Since then, she has brought groups of students year after year, sharing the same formative experiences that helped inspire her own career. Like Green, Jorge also joined the Blue Origin NS-32 crew, becoming part of the growing wave of civilian space travelers who first dared to dream in Huntsville. It all started at Space Camp. 'They need to go and visit Space Camp,' she says of families and travelers considering a trip. 'It's part of your path to go to space. There were a lot of things I got from Space Camp that I am applying in my classroom right now.' She says the training helped her better translate STEM ideas into engaging activities for her students—and it gave her a new language for discussing space careers in ways that feel accessible and relatable. Arriving in Huntsville, visitors are greeted by a towering Saturn V rocket that looms beside the highway like a monolith of American achievement. Inside the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, guests encounter everything from moon rocks and Apollo spacecraft to a newly redesigned Rocket Park that visually walks visitors through decades of space history. The recently restored Pathfinder shuttle is a striking photo op, and the Training Center's simulators make it easy to imagine yourself in a real launch scenario—even the mission control rooms buzz with purpose, not unlike the actual NASA facilities they emulate. For Green, returning to the campus today is deeply personal. Her daughter—also a Space Camp alum—recently had the chance to interview the Polaris Dawn crew in front of campers. 'It was a full-circle moment,' Green says. 'That spirit of exploration, community, and generosity is alive and well—and it's what makes Space Camp so much more than just a place. It's a launchpad for life.' Jorge describes the arrival even more viscerally. 'You are automatically going to be transported to space,' she says. 'When you see all the rockets in place, you think, 'Am I in a launchpad, and we're ready to go up?' You feel that energy, that enthusiasm, that good vibe. You know, 'I am in the right place to go to space right now.'' Today, the center offers programs for children, families, adults, and educators—each with varying levels of intensity, simulation, and training. The Adult Space Academy is especially popular with curious travelers, space enthusiasts, and even corporate teams seeking a leadership reset. And 2025, designated Alabama's Year of Aviation, offers even more incentive to visit, with special exhibits and restored aircraft, including the T-38, SR-71 Blackbird, and F-14 Tomcat, adding depth to the experience. After returning from space, both Green and Jorge spoke of how seeing Earth from above shifted their perspectives forever. 'To see the Earth from space changes your perspective,' Jorge says. 'You see this infinite black, and you see the Earth with that halo around it with this blue that is so beautiful. You realize two things. First, the greatness of God. And second, that the planet is so fragile. We have to take care of our home.' For Green, the experience was both a culmination and a beginning. 'Going to space was the hardest goal I could imagine—and achieving it brought a joy that touches everything I do now. My kids were inspired to see me work so hard toward what some might call an impossible dream—and succeed.' Whether you want to explore aviation history, rediscover your inner adventurer, or plant a seed of curiosity in the next generation, Huntsville's Space Camp is more than a vacation destination. It's a story you step into—and maybe one that changes your life. As Green puts it: 'Whether you want to become an astronaut or pursue any bold purpose, Space Camp helps you believe in your ability to rise to the challenge.' And sometimes, that belief is all it takes to reach the stars.
Otago Daily Times
03-06-2025
- Science
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch entrepreneur becomes the first New Zealander in space
Christchurch entrepreneur Mark Rocket has become the first New Zealander to make it into space. Rocket made history on board the 12th crewed flight for Blue Origin's New Shepard programme in West Texas. Rocket told The Press the flight exceeded his expectations. "It was incredibly intense," he told The Press. "Just a really amazing space flight." With a New Zealand flag in hand, Rocket and five others levelled off 105km above the Earth, where they experienced zero gravity for 11 minutes. Blue Origin's New Shepard programme is run by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space tourism company. Mark Rocket out of his seat during the sub-orbital flight on Blue Origin's NS-32 mission. Photo: Blue Origin Rocket told The Press he experienced "fairly steady acceleration" after lift-off. But once they reached "3400km/h, the acceleration is just absolutely incredible". When the main engine cut off and the booster separated from the rocket, the crew experienced zero gravity. He said a highlight was doing flips in mid-air in the true darkness of space. "It was just a totally immersive, full-on, thrilling experience," Rocket told The Press. "So I did another backflip and jumped into the seat and within a minute you're doing quite a few Gs and it goes up to about 5Gs." -APL
Otago Daily Times
02-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Christchurch man becomes first New Zealander in space
Christchurch entrepreneur Mark Rocket has become the first New Zealander to make it into space. Rocket made history on board the 12th crewed flight for Blue Origin's New Shepard programme in West Texas. Rocket told The Press the flight exceeded his expectations. "It was incredibly intense," he told The Press. "Just a really amazing space flight." With a New Zealand flag in hand, Rocket and five others levelled off 105km above the Earth, where they experienced zero gravity for 11 minutes. Blue Origin's New Shepard programme is run by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' space tourism company. Mark Rocket out of his seat during the sub-orbital flight on Blue Origin's NS-32 mission. Photo: Blue Origin Rocket told The Press he experienced "fairly steady acceleration" after lift-off. But once they reached "3400km/h, the acceleration is just absolutely incredible". When the main engine cut off and the booster separated from the rocket, the crew experienced zero gravity. He said a highlight was doing flips in mid-air in the true darkness of space. "It was just a totally immersive, full-on, thrilling experience," Rocket told The Press. "So I did another backflip and jumped into the seat and within a minute you're doing quite a few Gs and it goes up to about 5Gs."
