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
Wally Funk
Wally Funk – the aviation pioneer who is the only person who didn’t get on the flight by being rich, or related to someone rich – is without a doubt the people’s favourite passenger. And this reaction at the end of the flight is an example of why:
Jonathan McDowell, a spaceflight expert, has added Wally Funk (and the rest of the crew) to his big list of space travellers:
He has also shared some other interesting facts about the trip:
‘Billionaires racing to space can’t escape reality of the climate crisis'
Jeff Bezos simulates the G-forces of the trip by pulling his cheeks
Here you can see the clearly very excited Bezos brothers after they stepped out of the capsule – and demonstrating what happened to them while they were in it.
Press conference to start soon
A post-flight press conference had been scheduled for 4pm UK, or 11am eastern time, and we’re just waiting for that to start.
Blue Origin shares key facts from mission
Here are all the big numbers you might want for today:
Blue Origin press conference delayed – to now
The official Blue Origin YouTube channel has changed the start of the press conference to 4.30pm UK time (ie now).
It was supposed to start half an hour ago. There’s not been an explanation for the delay.
Live stream fails to meet new start time
It’s now three minutes since the re-arranged start time of the press conference – and it’s still yet to start.
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