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
Astronauts ask about apogee
The capsule reached 351,210 feet, mission control tells the passengers.
‘It felt remarkably natural'
The microphones in the capsule are still picking up the excitement of the passengers. They’re currently talking about how easy it felt to be floating around in zero gravity.
Jeff Bezos space flight: Amazon founder and Blue Origin safely shoots himself off Earth on his own rocket
Passengers found by crew members
The capsule has been found and the crew are now getting ready to get them out. (First they have to make sure the capsule is grounded, so that it doesn’t transfer any of its electric charge, among other jobs.)
Passengers still in capsule as team make preparations
Jeff Bezos can be seen through the windows as the passengers prepare to climb out.
(A lot of the reason they’re not out seems to be something to do with the crew that are shooting the passengers’ videos as they get out.)
Crew are out
Jeff Bezos leaves the capsule first – wearing his cowboy hat.
Passengers celebrate with their family
Everyone’s now out of the capsule and they’re all celebrating with their family. (That includes someone who I think is Oliver Daemen’s father, the financier who paid for his trip.)
Passengers spray champagne on each other
“It’s the only proper way to end a spaceflight,” commentators say.
Feed comes to a close
The commentators on the feed sign off as the passengers make their way to vehicles to head back for the celebrations.
Before they do, they ask people to email them if they’re interested in buying a ticket for a future trip to space. They also encourage peopel to go to the Blue Origin website and buy merch to commemorate the flight.
Jeff Bezos’s space trip a success
Once again, here’s our full story on today’s events.
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