Jeff Bezos

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket successfully launched on its first orbital mission early Thursday, January 16, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Standing 30 storeys tall with a reusable first stage, the rocket marked a major milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company in its bid to rival SpaceX in satellite launches. While the second stage reached orbit successfully, the first stage booster failed to land on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. The mission carried the prototype Blue Ring spacecraft, designed for satellite servicing and national security missions. This inaugural flight is part of Blue Origin’s plan to deploy customer satellites.

Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin successfully resumes its space tourism business, launching a six-person crew to the edge of space. Among them is Ed Dwight, the US’ first Black astronaut candidate from the 1960s, making his long-awaited journey. Dwight, aged 90 years and eight months, becomes the oldest person in space, surpassing actor William Shatner. The crew's capsule, launched from Texas, ascended over 65 miles before returning to Earth in roughly 10 minutes. Despite a parachute issue, Blue Origin deems the mission a success, marking a milestone since New Shepard's grounding in 2022