Blue Origin successfully launched its 13th crewed suborbital flight, NS-33, on June 29, 2025, from Launch Site One in West Texas. The New Shepard rocket carried six civilian astronauts to the edge of space. This mission marks another milestone for Blue Origin's space tourism program.
The crew comprised Allie Kuehner, Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., Owolabi Salis, and James (Jim) Sitkin. Carl Kuehner became Blue Origin's 70th astronaut and the 750th person in history to reach space. The launch occurred at 9:40 a.m. CDT, with the flight lasting approximately 10 minutes, reaching an altitude of 344,643 feet.
During the flight, the crew experienced about three minutes of weightlessness and observed Earth's curvature. The New Shepard rocket and crew capsule performed flawlessly. The booster landed vertically, and the capsule, "RSS Kármán Line," landed safely via parachutes and air thrusters. The mission also carried over 1,000 postcards from students and the public, part of Blue Origin's Club for the Future initiative.
This mission highlights Blue Origin's continued efforts to expand access to space travel. With 123 people flown on suborbital flights, the company is contributing to the growing space tourism industry. The successful NS-33 launch underscores the potential for future advancements in commercial spaceflight and broader public engagement with space exploration.