Blue Origin Sets for NS-28 Space Tourism Launch
Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, is set to launch its ninth crewed mission, NS-28, on Friday, November 22, 2024. The suborbital flight will lift off from the company’s West Texas launch site during a window that opens at 10:30 a.m. EST. The launch will be streamed live, with coverage beginning 30 minutes before takeoff, available through Blue Origin’s official channels and on Space.com, offering audiences worldwide a chance to watch the historic flight in real-time.
The NS-28 mission will carry six passengers on its journey into space, including a mix of experienced space tourists and newcomers. Among the crew is Emily Calandrelli, an MIT-trained engineer, science communicator, and author known for her work in popularizing STEM. Joining her are Marc and Sharon Hagle, a married couple with spaceflight experience from Blue Origin’s NS-20 mission in 2022. The rest of the crew includes Austin Litteral, a winner of a spaceflight giveaway by the platform Whatnot, entrepreneur James (J.D.) Russell, and businessman Henry (Hank) Wolfond.
Sharon Hagle, alongside her nonprofit organization SpaceKids Global, has also developed an educational initiative surrounding the mission. The “SpaceKids Global Press Squad” will consist of eight children aged 8 to 12 who will cover the NS-28 flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida. These young reporters will have the opportunity to tour Blue Origin’s facilities and learn more about space exploration, providing them with a hands-on educational experience.
As Blue Origin continues to advance its space tourism efforts, the NS-28 mission marks another milestone in the company’s pursuit of making space accessible to a broader range of people. With a diverse crew and a focus on education and outreach, the upcoming flight promises to be a significant step in the evolution of commercial space travel.