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As it happenedended

Jeff Bezos space launch: Latest updates as Amazon founder launched into space on Blue Origin rocket

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Andrew Griffin,Justin Vallejo
Wednesday 21 July 2021 00:46 BST
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Jeff Bezos launches himself 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.

Astronauts ask about apogee

The capsule reached 351,210 feet, mission control tells the passengers.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:25

‘It felt remarkably natural'

The microphones in the capsule are still picking up the excitement of the passengers. They’re currently talking about how easy it felt to be floating around in zero gravity.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:26

Jeff Bezos space flight: Amazon founder and Blue Origin safely shoots himself off Earth on his own rocket

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:27

Passengers found by crew members

The capsule has been found and the crew are now getting ready to get them out. (First they have to make sure the capsule is grounded, so that it doesn’t transfer any of its electric charge, among other jobs.)

(Blue Origin/YouTube)
Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:28

Passengers still in capsule as team make preparations

Jeff Bezos can be seen through the windows as the passengers prepare to climb out.

(Blue Origin/YouTube)

(A lot of the reason they’re not out seems to be something to do with the crew that are shooting the passengers’ videos as they get out.)

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:30

Crew are out

Jeff Bezos leaves the capsule first – wearing his cowboy hat.

(YouTube/Blue Origin)
Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:31

Passengers celebrate with their family

Everyone’s now out of the capsule and they’re all celebrating with their family. (That includes someone who I think is Oliver Daemen’s father, the financier who paid for his trip.)

(YouTube/Blue Origin)
Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:33

Passengers spray champagne on each other

“It’s the only proper way to end a spaceflight,” commentators say.

(YouTube/Blue Origin)
Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:34

Feed comes to a close

The commentators on the feed sign off as the passengers make their way to vehicles to head back for the celebrations.

(YouTube/Blue Origin)

Before they do, they ask people to email them if they’re interested in buying a ticket for a future trip to space. They also encourage peopel to go to the Blue Origin website and buy merch to commemorate the flight.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:39

Jeff Bezos’s space trip a success

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 14:42

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