EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- Blue Origin successfully completed its ninth human spaceflight and 28th mission overall for its New Shepard program on Friday, Nov. 22.
The rocket was launched from its West Texas location outside of Van Horn.
The astronaut crew included: Emily Calandrelli;, Sharon Hagle; Marc Hagle; Austin Litteral; James (J.D.) Russell; and Henry (Hank) Wolfond. Sharon and Marc Hagle both flew for the second time. Including Friday's crew, New Shepard has now flown 47 people to space (three people have flown twice).
"It's always moving to witness an astronaut crew return from space, changed by their experience on New Shepard," said Phil Joyce, senior vice president for New Shepard. "This mission amplifies the importance of STEAM and inspiring the next generation, and we welcomed back two returning astronauts. A big thank you to all our customers for the opportunity to provide this experience, and for helping to advance our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth."