Latest news with #NewShepard
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Crypto billionaire Justin Sun will fly on Blue Origin's next space tourism launch
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Four years after he paid $28 million for a spacecraft seat, Justin Sun will finally fly to the final frontier. In June 2021, Sun — the billionaire founder of the blockchain platform Tron — won an auction for a seat aboard Blue Origin's first-ever crewed spaceflight. That mission launched on July 20 of that year, carrying Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and three other people to and from suborbital space on the company's reusable New Shepard vehicle. Sun was not on board, however; he had to back out due to scheduling conflicts, the company said at the time. Sun had not identified himself as the winning bidder when that flight lifted off. The big reveal came in December 2021, when the crypto billionaire went public and said he now planned to fly in 2022 with five other "space warriors." That didn't happen, either. But Sun's long-deferred spaceflight is now just around the corner: He is officially on the manifest for NS-34, New Shepard's next human spaceflight, Blue Origin announced on Monday (July 21). The company has not yet disclosed a target launch date for the flight but is expected to do so soon. Here's a brief profile of the 34-year-old Sun and his five NS-34 crewmates, using information provided by Blue Origin. Arvinder (Arvi) Singh Bahal, a real estate investor and adventurer who was born in India but is a naturalized U.S. citizen. He has visited every country in the world, as well as both the north and south poles. Gökhan Erdem, a Turkish businessman, photographer and space enthusiast who "dreams of one day traveling to the International Space Station and possibly even beyond," Blue Origin wrote. Deborah Martorell, a journalist and meteorologist from Puerto Rico who has taken a microgravity-inducing airplane flight and reported on a number of space missions, including NASA's Artemis 1 moon flight. She's also a Solar System Ambassador for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Lionel Pitchford, an Englishman who has long lived in Spain and traveled the world. After losing his sister and her family in a 1992 plane crash in Nepal, he founded a nonprofit in the nation devoted to helping disadvantaged children. Pitchford has also run an orphanage in Kathmandu for the last 30 years. James (J.D.) Russell, an entrepreneur who founded the venture capital firm Alpha Funds. He also established the Victoria Russell Foundation, a nonprofit that honors the memory of his deceased daughter by "supporting children's education and assisting the families of first responders," Blue Origin wrote. Unlike the other NS-34 passengers, Russell is not a spaceflight rookie; he flew on the NS-28 mission in November 2024. Justin Sun, who is worth about $8.5 billion, according to Forbes. In addition to his Tron work, Sun is the ambassador and former Permanent Representative of Grenada to the World Trade Organization and serves as an advisor to the HTX crypto exchange. "A protege of Alibaba's Jack Ma, Sun was featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine in April 2025, where he was recognized as one of the most dynamic and outspoken figures in crypto and earning the moniker 'Crypto's Billionaire Barker' for his bold approach to innovation, advocacy and industry leadership," Blue Origin wrote. Sun's winning $28 million bid for the New Shepard seat in 2021 was donated to Club for the Future, Blue Origin's education nonprofit. Related Stories: — Winner of Blue Origin's $28 million auction to fly with 5 'space warriors' next year — Facts about New Shepard, Blue Origin's rocket for space tourism — Katy Perry and Gayle King launch to space with 4 others on historic all-female Blue Origin rocket flight NS-34 will be the 14th crewed New Shepard flight to date, and the fifth such mission of 2025. The most recent, NS-33, lifted off on June 29. New Shepard missions fly from Blue Origin's launch site in West Texas, near the town of Van Horn. Each one lasts 10 to 12 minutes from launch to the parachute-aided touchdown of the New Shepard crew capsule. (New Shepard's rocket also comes back down to Earth for a safe landing and eventual reuse.) New Shepard is an autonomous vehicle, so the passengers can sit back and simply enjoy the flight. That experience includes a few minutes of weightlessness and great views of Earth against the blackness of space, from an altitude of more than 62 miles (100 kilometers). Solve the daily Crossword
India Today
2 days ago
- Business
- India Today
From Agra to edge of space: Arvi Bahal to fly on Bezos' Blue Origin spaceflight
India-born businessman Arvi Bahal is all set to travel to space aboard Amazon founder Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin NS-34 mission. This mission is the 14th human flight under the New Shepard programme and the 34th in its history. Indian-American Bahal will travel to space as part of the six-member far, Blue Origin has flown 70 people above the Karaman line, the internationally recognised boundary of space, offering brief moments of weightlessness and a panoramic view of the Karman Line, set at an altitude of 100 kilometres above sea level, is widely recognised as the boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space. The live webcast on launch day will start 30 minutes before lift off, according to the US-based space technology Bahal on the flight are Turkish businessman Gkhan Erdem, meteorologist Deborah Martorell, teacher Lionel Pitchford, repeat flier JD Russell, and Justin Sun – a tech entrepreneur and the original $28 million winning bidder for the first New Shepard seat in IS ARVI BAHAL?Arvi Bahal is a real estate investor born in Agra and is now a naturalised US citizen.A lifelong traveller and adventurer, Bahal has visited every country in the world, the North and South Poles, and skydived on Mount Everest and the Pyramids of Giza. He holds a private pilot's licence and also flies helicopters, according to Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp expressed enthusiasm for the company's mission, highlighting the growing momentum of its space tourism program."Looking forward to our sixth New Shepard launch this year and welcoming back our fifth astronaut to fly twice! Proud to have this international crew as we continue opening up space to people from all backgrounds," Limp said in a post on Gopichand Thotakura was the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist as part of Blue Origin's New Shepard-25 (NS-25) ACCOMPANYING ARVI BAHAL ALSO BIG LEAGUERSGkhan Erdem is a Turkish businessman and a board member of Erdem Holding, a diverse group of companies operating in the energy, telecommunications, construction, and manufacturing of his professional responsibilities, Gkhan is a passionate space enthusiast and an avid photographer. Deeply inspired by space exploration, he dreams of one day travelling to the International Space Station and possibly even beyond, Blue Origin wrote on its third crew member's name is Deborah Martorell. She is a Puerto Rican meteorologist and journalist. Her reporting on environmental and space topics has garnered eight Emmy Awards and two Awards of Excellence in Science Reporting from the American Meteorological Society, according to Blue fourth crew member is Lionel Pitchford, an Englishman who has spent the last four decades in Spain working as a teacher, translator, and tour guide as a means to travel the world. In 1992, following a plane crash with his sister and her family onboard, Lionel founded a nonprofit in Nepal dedicated to serving disadvantaged children and girls, Blue Origin fifth member is JD Russel, an entrepreneur and founder of Alpha Funds, a technology-focused venture capital company, and Alpha Aerospace, an aerospace consulting and solutions company. He founded the Victoria Russell Foundation to honour the memory of his deceased foundation is dedicated to supporting children's education and assisting the families of first responders, Bezos's Blue Origin wrote about his Sun is the Ambassador and former Permanent Representative of Grenada to the World Trade Organisation, founder of TRON - a cryptocurrency with an associated blockchain DAO ecosystem, and advisor to HTX - one of the world's largest crypto exchanges. A protege of Alibaba's Jack Ma, Sun was featured on the cover of Forbes Magazine in April 2025, where he was recognised as one of the most dynamic and outspoken figures in crypto, earning the moniker "Crypto's Billionaire Barker" for his bold approach to innovation, advocacy, and industry leadership.- EndsMust Watch
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Trump's wealthiest dinner guest set to aboard space-bound flight
Trump's wealthiest dinner guest set to aboard space-bound flight originally appeared on TheStreet. Blue Origin, the Jeff Bezos-owned aerospace company that carried the first famous female-only space flight on Apr. 14, is now planning to have crypto billionaire Justin Sun as a "contestant" of their NS-34 mission. Justin Sun is the owner of Tron and an avid supporter of President Donald Trump. This created excitement in the crypto scene, as this is all coming together with the convergence of crypto, technology, finance, and the space race. Sun has been a popular figure in the world of crypto. Not only has he been involved in the creation of a plethora of decentralized apps, but he also purchased NS-34 mission marks the most recent suborbital flight for Blue Origin. The new Shepard rocket is intended for suborbital space tourism, providing passengers with a thrilling but short experience that features several minutes of weightlessness and impressive views of Earth outside the Kármán line, the internationally accepted boundary of space. Passengers on board Blue Origin missions are typically chosen from those who made a significant contribution to the likes of technology, philanthropy, or human advancement. The inclusion of Justin Sun follows this trend, given Sun's global influence in technology and crypto finance. Sun posted on X: "In 2021, I bid $28M for a seat on BlueOrigin's New Shepard rocket—funds that went to @clubforfuture, Blue Origin's foundation, to support 19 space-based charities inspiring the next generation of STEM leaders. Proud to join Blue Origin's NS-34 mission and continue encouraging youth to pursue their dreams in science and space!' Notably, Sun was the wealthiest guest at the dinner gala Trump hosted at his private property in May for those who had bought the most TRUMP meme coins. Trump's wealthiest dinner guest set to aboard space-bound flight first appeared on TheStreet on Jul 21, 2025 This story was originally reported by TheStreet on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared. Sign in to access your portfolio
Broadcast Pro
01-07-2025
- Business
- Broadcast Pro
Blue Origins NS-33 mission sends first Nigerian to space
Blue Origin has completed 13 crewed missions since its sub-orbital spacecraft first carried founder Jeff Bezos and three other passengers into space in July 2021. Blue Origin has launched its 13th human spaceflight, the NS-33 mission. The flight carried six passengers beyond the Kármán line, reaching an altitude of 105.2 km (345,044 ft) and giving the crew a striking view of Earth and the unique sensation of weightlessness, according to a report by Space In Africa. Among the passengers was Chief Owolabi Salis from Ikorodu, Lagos, who became the first Nigerian to travel to space. Describing the mission as a convergence of science and spirit, Salis expressed hopes that his journey would inspire young people across Africa to engage with science and space exploration. Known for his work in community development and youth empowerment, he emphasised the missions potential to spark curiosity and ambition in future generations. Salis safe return home was met with celebrations in Nigeria, where he was hailed as a national hero. His flight underscores Africas growing involvement in space initiatives and highlights the continents expanding presence in the global space community. The NS-33 mission patch featured green rings representing Earths horizon and the Kármán line, symbolising humanitys drive to explore beyond known boundaries. Blue Origins New Shepard programme continues to pioneer reusable rocket technology and private space tourism, with 33 successful flights to date. As interest in space accelerates across Africa, Salis achievement may open doors for more African participants, advancing a new era of inclusivity in space exploration.
UPI
30-06-2025
- Science
- UPI
Blue Origin launches six tourists on 13th passenger flight
Blue Origin launched 6 more tourists into space and back on Sunday from Texas on its 13th flight. File Photo courtesy of Blue Origin June 30 (UPI) -- Blue Origin launched six more tourists into space and back on Sunday from Texas on its 13th passenger flight. The company's New Shepard rocket lifted off Sunday 10:39 a.m. EDT with Allie and Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno, Jr., Owolabi Salis and James Sitkn on board. The rocket's hydrogen-fueled BE-3 engine fired up for about two and a half minutes, boosting the spacecraft to high speeds. The capsule then broke off from the booster, allowing it to reach its highest point away from Earth, giving the passengers the chance to experience weightlessness. Throughout the flight the passengers were about to soak in the view of space as the ship climbed up to the internationally accepted boundary between Earth and space, the Karman Line. The capsule came back to earth and the booster returned back to the launch site. Carl Kuehner became the 70th of the Blue Origin astronauts, as well as the 750th person in history to reach space according to the Association of Space Explorers' Registry of Space Travelers. Blue Origin has launched 13 passenger flights since Jeff Bezos' flight in July 2021. The company has launched 74 passengers, four of them have flown twice. The cost to fly on the New Shepard has not yet been revealed.
