What is the story about?
Blue Origin has sent its latest group of passengers to the edge of space aboard its New Shepard rocket. The aerospace company, founded by Amazon’s Jeff Bezos, successfully completed the 38th flight of the New Shepard programme and the first spaceflight of 2026.
The mission carried six people on a brief suborbital journey from the company’s West Texas launch site. New Shepard mission NS-38 lifted off on Thursday, January 22, at approximately 9:55 pm IST, following a short delay.
During the 11-minute flight, the crew experienced several minutes of weightlessness and viewed Earth from space before safely returning to the Texas desert.
With this mission, Blue Origin has now flown 98 people to space across 17 human spaceflights, including 92 unique individuals, with six passengers having flown twice.
The company’s first crewed mission launched on July 20, 2021, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Passengers on Blue Origin’s NS-38 suborbital mission
The reusable rocket-and-capsule system carried entrepreneur and pilot Tim Drexler, retired obstetrician and gynaecologist Linda Edwards, real estate developer Alain Fernandez, entrepreneur Alberto Gutiérrez, retired US Air Force Colonel Jim Hendren, and Blue Origin’s Director of New Shepard Launch Operations, Laura Stiles.
Stiles joined the crew as a late replacement for Andrew Yaffe, who withdrew from the mission due to illness. Blue Origin said Yaffe is scheduled to fly on a future New Shepard mission.
Crew profiles:
Tim Drexler: Drexler is the former owner and chief executive of Ace Asphalt. After 40 years in civil contracting, he transitioned into aviation and now flies helicopters and aeroplanes.
Linda Edwards: Edwards is a retired obstetrician and gynaecologist, an award-winning equestrian, a two-time breast cancer survivor, and a wildlife advocate who has travelled to more than 40 countries.
Alain Fernandez: A real estate developer with a career spanning three decades, Fernandez recovered from a serious diving accident sustained while working as a scuba instructor in French Polynesia.
Alberto Gutiérrez: Gutiérrez is the founder of tours and activities platform Civitatis. A technologist and frequent traveller, he has visited more than 100 countries across all seven continents.
Jim Hendren: Hendren is a retired US Air Force Colonel and former F-15 fighter pilot who commanded the 157th Combat Operations Squadron. He is also the founder of global manufacturing firm Hendren Plastics Inc.
Laura Stiles: Stiles holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences and leads New Shepard launch operations at Blue Origin. She also holds the world record for large-formation skydiving and has spent years mentoring and educating young engineers.
Ticket prices
Blue Origin has not disclosed ticket prices for New Shepard flights. Industry estimates place the cost between $200,000 and $300,000 per seat, lower than rival space tourism company Virgin Galactic, which charges around $600,000.
Some passengers have flown using grants or external funding. According to USA Today, prospective customers must agree to a $150,000 deposit when submitting a booking form.
The mission carried six people on a brief suborbital journey from the company’s West Texas launch site. New Shepard mission NS-38 lifted off on Thursday, January 22, at approximately 9:55 pm IST, following a short delay.
During the 11-minute flight, the crew experienced several minutes of weightlessness and viewed Earth from space before safely returning to the Texas desert.
With this mission, Blue Origin has now flown 98 people to space across 17 human spaceflights, including 92 unique individuals, with six passengers having flown twice.
The company’s first crewed mission launched on July 20, 2021, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.
Passengers on Blue Origin’s NS-38 suborbital mission
The reusable rocket-and-capsule system carried entrepreneur and pilot Tim Drexler, retired obstetrician and gynaecologist Linda Edwards, real estate developer Alain Fernandez, entrepreneur Alberto Gutiérrez, retired US Air Force Colonel Jim Hendren, and Blue Origin’s Director of New Shepard Launch Operations, Laura Stiles.
We just completed our 38th flight of the New Shepard program and the first of 2026. The crew onboard included: Timothy Drexler, Linda Edwards, Alain Fernandez,
Alberto Gutiérrez Pascual, Jim Hendren, and Laura Stiles. New Shepard has flown 98 humans (92 individuals) to space.… pic.twitter.com/GpOTShz8A4
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) January 22, 2026
Stiles joined the crew as a late replacement for Andrew Yaffe, who withdrew from the mission due to illness. Blue Origin said Yaffe is scheduled to fly on a future New Shepard mission.
Crew profiles:
Tim Drexler: Drexler is the former owner and chief executive of Ace Asphalt. After 40 years in civil contracting, he transitioned into aviation and now flies helicopters and aeroplanes.
Linda Edwards: Edwards is a retired obstetrician and gynaecologist, an award-winning equestrian, a two-time breast cancer survivor, and a wildlife advocate who has travelled to more than 40 countries.
Alain Fernandez: A real estate developer with a career spanning three decades, Fernandez recovered from a serious diving accident sustained while working as a scuba instructor in French Polynesia.
Alberto Gutiérrez: Gutiérrez is the founder of tours and activities platform Civitatis. A technologist and frequent traveller, he has visited more than 100 countries across all seven continents.
Jim Hendren: Hendren is a retired US Air Force Colonel and former F-15 fighter pilot who commanded the 157th Combat Operations Squadron. He is also the founder of global manufacturing firm Hendren Plastics Inc.
Laura Stiles: Stiles holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences and leads New Shepard launch operations at Blue Origin. She also holds the world record for large-formation skydiving and has spent years mentoring and educating young engineers.
Ticket prices
Blue Origin has not disclosed ticket prices for New Shepard flights. Industry estimates place the cost between $200,000 and $300,000 per seat, lower than rival space tourism company Virgin Galactic, which charges around $600,000.
Some passengers have flown using grants or external funding. According to USA Today, prospective customers must agree to a $150,000 deposit when submitting a booking form.
