Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket: See Photos From Jeff Bezos’ Space Journey

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July 20, 2021 10:44AM EDT

Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket launch on July 20 was a historic moment for space travel. Check out photos from Jeff Bezos’ brief trip into space.

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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket — Blue Origin’s New Shephard Rocket launched on Tuesday July 20 as part of it’s first passenger spaceflight. The rocket is incredibly innovative, as it is designed to both take off and land vertically. The launch was an important moment in the history of commercial spaceflight, and will hopefully pave the way for future space travel for everyday people in the future.

The flight on Tuesday was taken by Blue Origin founder and Amazon executive chairman and founder Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos, Dutch teenager Oliver Daemen, and aviator Mary Wallace “Wally” Funk.

The four now-astronauts are pictured here in their Blue Origin space suits. On their ride that took them over 65 miles high, the four crew members experienced about three minutes of weightlessness.

While none of the crew members will likely ever forget their flight, it’s also an important day in the history of space travel. Scroll through our gallery to see photos of the historic launch.

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Jeff Bezos After Returning To Earth (2021)

Jeff Bezos After Returning To Earth (2021) — Jeff Bezos stepped out of the capsule after landing down in Texas. He sported a cowboy hat with his Blue Origin flightsuit.

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Oliver Daeman After Returning From Space (2021)

Oliver Daeman After Returning From Space (2021) — Oliver Daeman can be seen giving a big hug after stepping off the New Shepard. The Blue Origin crew was met by family and friends when they returned from space.

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Jeff Bezos On The New Shepard (2021)

Jeff Bezos On The New Shepard (2021) — Jeff Bezos gave a thumbs up through the window of the New Shepard. After returning to earth, he was greeted by his family and girlfriend Lauren Sanchez. “I wasn’t that nervous, but my family was somewhat anxious about this. It was so sweet to get hugged by them after landing, especially my kids and Lauren and my mom and dad,” he said in a press conference after returning.

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Friends And Family Gather Outside The New Shepard Capsule (2021)

Friends And Family Gather Outside The New Shepard Capsule (2021) — After getting out of the capsule, Jeff Bezos greeted his girlfriend Lauren Sanchez, and she gave him a hug and a kiss. At the press conference after the flight, Jeff said that the space trip put his love for his family and girlfriend in perspective. “It just makes me realize how much I love you and how much I’m loved,” he said.

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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Launch (2021)

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Launch (2021) — The New Shepard rocket took off from Van Horn, Texas on July 20, 2021. The flight was originally scheduled for 9 a.m. ET, but was slightly delayed, launching shortly after 9.

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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Takes Off (2021)

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Takes Off (2021) — The Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket has two key parts: a booster and the capsule. The booster is what launches the rocket, and it is designed to safely land, vertically. The capsule detaches from the booster and carries the crew into space.

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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Begins Flying Into Space (2021)

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Begins Flying Into Space (2021) — As Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket flew into space, the crew, consisting of Jeff and Mark Bezos, Oliver Daeman, and Wally Funk, cheered, according to Space.com. Blue Origin reported that the peak altitude was 351,210 ft (107.05 km).

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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Lifts Off (2021)

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Lifts Off (2021) — An aerial view of the Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket as it’s lifts off from the launchsite in Van Horn, Texas. The flight was part of Mission NS-15, which was to test “a series of simulations to rehearse astronaut movements and operations for future flights with customers on board,” according to Blue Origin.

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Media Set Up For Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Launch (2021)

Media Set Up For Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Launch (2021) — Numerous outlets were on the ground for the launch of the New Shepard rocket. Besides being an important day for spaceflight, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ participation in the flight sparked much conversation about billionaires going to space.

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Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket (2021)

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket (2021) — The New Shepard’s booster successfully landed veritcally before the capsule with the crew touched down. When the capsule landed, Jeff Bezos exclaimed that it was the “best day ever.”

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