Blue Origin Resumes Crewed Launches

image credit Blue Origin

In a significant development for commercial space travel, Blue Origin has resumed its crewed launches, marking a new chapter in the company's history. The resumption comes after a series of successful uncrewed tests, ensuring the safety and reliability of the spacecraft for passenger flights. Blue Origin's journey to resuming crewed launches has been meticulous and safety-driven. The company's New Shepard spacecraft underwent rigorous testing, both on the ground and through uncrewed flights, to validate its systems. These tests were critical in certifying the spacecraft for human passengers, adhering to the highest standards of aerospace safety.

The Journey to Resumption

On April 4, Blue Origin unveiled its intention to launch the New Shepard spacecraft with a crew on board for the first time in over a year and a half. This significant flight will provide Ed Dwight, a pioneering African American astronaut candidate, with the long-awaited chance to journey into space.

Ed Dwight, a former U.S. Air Force pilot recognized by the Kennedy administration in 1961 as the first African American astronaut candidate, will be among the six crew members of the NS-25 suborbital mission. Despite completing his training at the Aerospace Research Pilot School, Dwight was not chosen for NASA's subsequent astronaut groups. He departed from the Air Force in 1966 to pursue a career in sculpture.

Space for Humanity, a charitable organization that funds individuals' spaceflights on commercial vessels, is backing Dwight's participation in the NS-25 mission. Dylan Taylor, the organization's founder who himself experienced spaceflight aboard New Shepard in 2021, expressed on social media that Dwight's rise above the Karman Line is a milestone that's been pending for too long.

The mission also receives support from the Jaison and Jaime Robinson Foundation, with Jaison Robinson having participated in the NS-21 New Shepard flight in June 2022.

Dwight is poised to set a record as the oldest space traveler, currently being slightly older than William Shatner when he set the previous record during his New Shepard flight in October 2021..

After determining that thermal damage led to the structural failure of the engine nozzle, Blue Origin resumed New Shepard flights with a cargo mission in December 2023 and announced plans to return to crewed flights soon thereafter.


The first human flight by Blue Origin was a historic milestone, with four private citizens, including Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen, officially becoming astronauts as they crossed the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. This mission demonstrated Blue Origin's commitment to opening up space for everyone and marked the beginning of a new era in space tourism.


Following the success of the first human flight, Blue Origin has continued to expand its horizons with additional crewed flights. The company has successfully launched six passengers to the edge of space and back, showcasing the New Shepard's capabilities as a reliable suborbital spacecraft. These missions have not only provided thrilling experiences for the passengers but have also gathered valuable data to enhance future flights.

The Future of Blue Origin's Crewed Flights

Looking ahead, Blue Origin has ambitious plans for its crewed spaceflights. The company aims to increase the frequency of its launches, offering more people the opportunity to experience the wonders of space. While the launch date for NS-25 remains undisclosed, the crew announcement indicates that Blue Origin is planning to proceed with the flight promptly.

Joining Dwight on NS-25 will be Mason Angel, a venture capitalist; Sylvain Chiron, a French businessman and philanthropist; Kenneth L. Hess, a software entrepreneur; Carol Schaller, a retired accountant; and Gopi Thotakura, a pilot and wellness center founder.

The upcoming NS-25 mission marks the first manned New Shepard flight since NS-22 in August 2022. Following that mission, a New Shepard flight carrying only cargo encountered an engine issue shortly after takeoff, leading to the activation of the emergency abort system. The capsule was recovered safely, but the propulsion module was lost. With each successful mission, Blue Origin moves closer to its vision of millions of people living and working in space, contributing to a future where space travel is as common as air travel.

Blue Origin's resumption of crewed launches is a testament to the company's dedication to making space accessible to all. As commercial space travel enters a new era, Blue Origin stands at the forefront, paving the way for a future where the final frontier is within reach for everyone. With a blend of pioneering spirit and technological excellence, Blue Origin is not just launching rockets; it's launching dreams into the cosmos.