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Blue Origin's NS-38: 17th Human Flight Delivers Weightlessness

1/23/2026

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Center

Blue Origin Launches Flight

Blue Origin launched NS-38 from West Texas on January 22, 2026, with six passengers on an 11-minute suborbital flight.
The crew included Tim Drexler (entrepreneur), Linda Edwards (doctor), Alain Fernandez (real estate developer), Alberto Gutiérrez (entrepreneur), Jim Hendren (Air Force Colonel), and Laura Stiles of Blue Origin, who replaced a sick passenger.
Flight delivered weightlessness and views of Earth, marking Blue Origin's 17th human spaceflight, and was livestreamed for spectators.

Left

Blue Origin Launches Satellite

Blue Origin's New Glenn will launch AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite in late February 2026 to boost satellite-to-phone connectivity.
AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy up to 60 satellites by year-end to compete with SpaceX's Starlink.
Blue Moon MK1 lander Endurance is undergoing thermal vacuum testing at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
NASA emphasizes frequent launches to mitigate technical risk as Blue Origin and SpaceX push lunar lander programs.

History

Historical Context

The Apollo 11 mission, launched on July 16, 1969, achieved humanity's first moon landing, fulfilling President John F. Kennedy's 1961 goal. Astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin explored the lunar surface, while Michael Collins orbited above. With a budget of approximately $25 billion, Apollo set the stage for future space endeavors, as private companies like Blue Origin now lead a new era of commercial space exploration.

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Blue Origin Launches Flight

Blue Origin launched NS-38 from West Texas on January 22, 2026, with six passengers on an 11-minute suborbital flight.
The crew included Tim Drexler (entrepreneur), Linda Edwards (doctor), Alain Fernandez (real estate developer), Alberto Gutiérrez (entrepreneur), Jim Hendren (Air Force Colonel), and Laura Stiles of Blue Origin, who replaced a sick passenger.
Flight delivered weightlessness and views of Earth, marking Blue Origin's 17th human spaceflight, and was livestreamed for spectators.

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