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

Follow the latest updates

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.

Wally Funk

Wally Funk – the aviation pioneer who is the only person who didn’t get on the flight by being rich, or related to someone rich – is without a doubt the people’s favourite passenger. And this reaction at the end of the flight is an example of why:

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 15:13

Jonathan McDowell, a spaceflight expert, has added Wally Funk (and the rest of the crew) to his big list of space travellers:

He has also shared some other interesting facts about the trip:

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 15:40

‘Billionaires racing to space can’t escape reality of the climate crisis'

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:03

Jeff Bezos simulates the G-forces of the trip by pulling his cheeks

Here you can see the clearly very excited Bezos brothers after they stepped out of the capsule – and demonstrating what happened to them while they were in it.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:05

Press conference to start soon

A post-flight press conference had been scheduled for 4pm UK, or 11am eastern time, and we’re just waiting for that to start.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:06

Richard Branson says congratulations

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:16

Blue Origin shares key facts from mission

Here are all the big numbers you might want for today:

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:17

Blue Origin press conference delayed – to now

The official Blue Origin YouTube channel has changed the start of the press conference to 4.30pm UK time (ie now).

It was supposed to start half an hour ago. There’s not been an explanation for the delay.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:30

Here’s the stream, if you want to watch it:

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:33

Live stream fails to meet new start time

It’s now three minutes since the re-arranged start time of the press conference – and it’s still yet to start.

Andrew Griffin20 July 2021 16:33

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