Blue Origin Successfully Launches 28th Mission to Space!

Blue Origin has confirmed its ninth human spaceflight, NS-28, is set for Friday, 22 November 2024. Liftoff from Launch Site One in West Texas is scheduled for 9:30 AM CST (15:30 UTC), with a live webcast starting 30 minutes prior on BlueOrigin.com.

This marks the 28th mission in the Blue Origin New Shepard programme, which has already carried 43 people above the Kármán line, the recognised boundary of space.

UPDATE: 22 November

Blue Origin’s NS-28 mission has successfully concluded, marking the company’s ninth crewed spaceflight and 28th overall flight for the New Shepard program.

The six-person crew, including “Space Gal” Emily Calandrelli, safely returned to Earth after a brief suborbital journey. The mission lasted just over ten minutes, allowing passengers to experience several minutes of weightlessness while enjoying breathtaking views of Earth from space.

This successful mission brings the total number of people flown to space by New Shepard to 47, with three individuals having flown twice.

The NS-28 Mission Crew and Patch

The NS-28 mission will carry six passengers:

• Emily Calandrelli – Emmy-nominated TV host and advocate for STEM education, particularly among young girls.
• Sharon Hagle – Founder of SpaceKids Global, inspiring children globally to engage with STEAM subjects.
• Marc Hagle – CEO of Tricor International and philanthropist, returning to space alongside his wife Sharon for their second New Shepard flight.
• Austin Litteral – Risk management professional whose seat was sponsored by Whatnot through a giveaway competition.
• James (J.D.) Russell – Entrepreneur and former federal law enforcement officer, with a focus on community and education initiatives.
• Henry (Hank) Wolfond – Canadian businessman, aviator, and philanthropist with a passion for combating antisemitism and supporting autism acceptance.

The mission patch reflects the unique contributions of each crew member. Among the symbols are a pink figure representing Emily Calandrelli’s efforts to encourage young girls in STEM, and stars signifying Austin Litteral’s dream of space exploration. Other elements honour Sharon and Marc Hagle’s second flight, J.D. Russell’s vision for future generations, and Hank Wolfond’s personal connection.

A Diverse Crew

This mission highlights the diverse backgrounds of its participants, ranging from space education to philanthropic work. Notably, Sharon and Marc Hagle return to space following their historic flight as the first married couple on a commercial spacecraft in 2022.

To follow updates and watch the launch live, visit BlueOrigin.com or follow Blue Origin’s social media platforms.