Jeff Bezos space launch: Latest updates as Amazon founder launched into space on Blue Origin rocket
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Jeff Bezos and three fellow passengers have made a pioneering journey into space.
The trip saw the space tourists take a brief trip off the Earth before coming back down again.
Mr Bezos has promoted the trip as a breakthrough moment for space tourism, which arguably represents the first time that paying, civilian passengers have been sent to space on board a private rocket. It is also the first time that humans have ever ridden on board a spacecraft made by the Amazon founder’s private space company, Blue Origin.
But at the same time, the trip has been criticised by many as an indulgence, with the billionaire spending money and other resources that could be better used to improve life on Earth.
- Oliver Daemen: The millionaire’s son, 18, going to space with Jeff Bezos
- Blue Origin launch: What time does Jeff Bezos and crew go to space and how can you watch?
- Jeff Bezos flight crew: Who will be on Blue Origin rocket and how much is the launch costing?
- Watch live as Jeff Bezos launches himself into space
Rocket is waiting on launchpad
We’re still on hold. Not clear how long we’ll be waiting.
The four passengers are waiting in that cabin at the top:
Not clear what the “hold” is
Commentators on the live stream are not clear why exactly this hold is happening. (It’s been eight minutes now.)
“Sometimes we hold to investigate an anomaly, sometimes just to catch up with the timeline.”
Hold is lifted and countdown restarts
Now it really is T minus 15 minutes, as the hold is lifted and the countdown to launch begins.
New Shepherd is ‘go’ for launch
With just over 10 minutes left to go, the team have confirmed the rocket is “go” for launch.
Five minutes left to launch
Nearly there. Less than five minutes left. The rocket is still waiting on the launchpad.
Bridge retracts
The rocket is no longer attached to the bridge.
Rocket now looking after itself
With a minute left to go, the rocket is now acting autonomously to prepare for launch.
30 seconds to go
Smoke and noise erupts from the rocket with 30 seconds left.
LIFTOFF
The New Shepherd rocket has left the Earth on its way to space.
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