Mark your calendars: Six intrepid civilian astronauts are set to embark on a journey to the cosmos this Thursday, January 22nd. For those eager to witness this historic launch, live coverage will be available.
**Blue Origin Set for West Texas Suborbital Launch Thursday**
West Texas is poised to be the stage for Blue Origin’s latest suborbital mission, NS-38, with a launch window scheduled to open on Thursday. The flight is slated to lift off at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time, which corresponds to 4:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time and 10:00 a.m. local time in Texas.
Space.com will be broadcasting the launch live, offering viewers a front-row seat to the event. You can also catch the action directly through Blue Origin’s official channels. Pre-launch coverage is scheduled to begin 30 minutes prior to liftoff.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket and capsule system is set to embark on its 38th journey into space, a milestone mission designated NS-38. Of the 37 flights completed thus far, 16 have been crewed, while the remaining missions have served as platforms for uncrewed scientific research.
**Experience the Thrill of Space: A Swift Journey to the Stars**
Embark on an exhilarating 10 to 12-minute voyage aboard New Shepard, a journey that begins with liftoff and culminates in a gentle, parachute-assisted landing. During this brief but unforgettable adventure, passengers will savor moments of weightlessness and marvel at the breathtaking spectacle of Earth set against the profound expanse of space.
While details regarding the cost of a ticket on Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital flights remain undisclosed, its primary competitor, Virgin Galactic, has publicly priced its seats at $600,000 each.
Here are a few paraphrased options, each with a slightly different journalistic emphasis:
**Option 1 (Concise & Direct):**
> Blue Origin’s upcoming NS-38 mission will carry a distinguished crew of six individuals. Among them are entrepreneur and pilot Tim Drexler; retired obstetrician/gynecologist Linda Edwards; real estate developer and investor Alain Fernandez; entrepreneur and technologist Alberto Gutiérrez; U.S. Air Force Colonel (Ret.) Jim Hendren, founder of Hendren Plastics Inc.; and Laura Stiles, Blue Origin’s own director of New Shepard launch operations. Further details on each crew member are available from Blue Origin.
**Option 2 (Focus on Expertise & Background):**
> The flight manifest for Blue Origin’s NS-38 mission features a diverse group of six passengers, each bringing a unique background to the journey. The crew includes entrepreneurial figures Tim Drexler (also a pilot) and Alberto Gutiérrez (a technologist), alongside retired obstetrician/gynecologist Linda Edwards. Real estate developer and investor Alain Fernandez will also ascend, as will retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jim Hendren, the founder of Hendren Plastics Inc. Completing the team is Laura Stiles, who oversees New Shepard launch operations for Blue Origin. More information on these individuals can be found on Blue Origin’s website.
**Option 3 (Emphasizing Roles & Affiliations):**
> A group of six individuals is set to travel aboard Blue Origin’s NS-38, representing a blend of entrepreneurial spirit, medical expertise, and operational leadership. The payload includes pilot and entrepreneur Tim Drexler, alongside retired medical professional Linda Edwards. Real estate magnate Alain Fernandez and technologist Alberto Gutiérrez are also part of the crew. Retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jim Hendren, the visionary behind Hendren Plastics Inc., will join them, as will Laura Stiles, Blue Origin’s own Director of New Shepard Launch Operations. Blue Origin provides in-depth profiles of all six crew members.
**Option 4 (Slightly More Evocative):**
> Set for liftoff on the NS-38 mission, six individuals are poised to experience spaceflight. The crew comprises entrepreneur and pilot Tim Drexler; retired obstetrician/gynecologist Linda Edwards; real estate developer and investor Alain Fernandez; entrepreneur and technologist Alberto Gutiérrez; and retired U.S. Air Force Colonel Jim Hendren, the founder of Hendren Plastics Inc. Rounding out the team is Laura Stiles, Blue Origin’s Director of New Shepard Launch Operations. Interested parties can learn more about each of these pioneering individuals through Blue Origin.
**New Astronaut Joins Blue Origin’s Upcoming Flight After Last-Minute Change**
Astronaut Dawn Stiles has been added to the passenger manifest for Blue Origin’s upcoming spaceflight, announced the company today, January 20. Stiles will take the place of a previously scheduled participant who is unable to fly on Thursday due to illness. Blue Origin confirmed that the original passenger will have the opportunity to join a future mission.
Andrew Yaffe, a seasoned professional in the recycling sector and identified as an NS-38 crewmember by Blue Origin in their initial mission update, is believed to be the individual who withdrew from the flight.
**Update: January 21, 3:45 p.m. ET**
The planned launch is now scheduled for 11:00 a.m. ET on January 22.
