Blue Origin’s NS-25 flight patch with symbols representing the six crew members. COURTESY IMAGE, Blue Origin

Blue Origin’s NS-25 flight patch with symbols representing the six crew members. COURTESY IMAGE, Blue Origin

Kent-based Blue Origin’s seventh human flight set for May 19

New Shepard-25 will launch from West Texas

Kent-based Blue Origin has scheduled its seventh human flight, New Shepard-25, for lift off on Sunday, May 19 from Launch Site One in West Texas.

Blue Origin announced the flight time on Tuesday, May 14. The launch window opens at 8:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time or 6:30 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time.

The six-member crew, announced in April, includes:

• Ed Dwight: A former U.S. Air Force Capt. who was selected by President John F. Kennedy in 1961 as the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate but was never granted the opportunity to fly to space.

Sorry, the video player failed to load.(Error Code: 101102)

• Mason Angel: The founder of Denver, Colorado-based Industrious Ventures, a venture capital fund supporting early-stage companies that enable or progress new industrial revolutions.

• Sylvain Chiron: The founder of the Brasserie Mont Blanc, one of the largest craft breweries in France.

• Kenneth L. Hess: Founder of California-based Science Buddies, a K-12 nonprofit created to level the playing field and improve STEM literacy by inspiring students through free, personalized, hands-on projects in all areas of science, including space exploration.

• Carol Schaller: A retired certified public accountant. In 2017, her doctor told her she would likely go blind. She has since traveled to 25 countries around the world. Seeing Earth’s thin layer of atmosphere in the blackness of space will fulfill a lifelong dream.

• Gopi Thotakura: Co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a global center for holistic wellness and applied health located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

While Dwight’s flight is sponsored, the others paid a fee after filling out an application. Blue Origin does not release the price paid by crew members.

Blue Origin released its NS-25 mission patch. A few of the symbols embedded include:

• The Gemini spacecraft represents Ed Dwight’s aerospace training era. The hand lifting the crew capsule is a nod to his extensive artwork.

• The sunrise represents Mason Angel and Carol Schaller’s desire to experience the overview effect.

• The mountains symbolize Carol Schaller, Gopi Thotakura and Sylvain Chiron’s passion for climbing and skiing.

• The crew capsule’s leaf design reflects the groundbreaking family heritage software Kenneth L. Hess developed.

To date, the program has flown 31 humans above the Kármán line, which is about 62 miles above mean sea level that borders Earth’s atmosphere and considered by many the beginning of space. The flight takes about 10 minutes.

Blue Origin opened in 2000 in Kent. The company is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Business

t
Kent-based Stoke Space receives $260 million in new investments

More than doubles the company’s total funding, bringing it to $480 million

t
Kent-based Blue Origin reschedules New Glenn rocket launch | Update

Company plans unmanned first flight for Thursday, Jan. 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida

t
Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completes vehicle hotfire test | Update

Moves closer to first flight of New Glenn rocket which could come Jan. 10

t
Southern cooking restaurant to open at Highline College

Jumpin’ Jumbalaya offers Cajun-Creole fushion

t
Sure Lock Escapes opens 2 escape rooms in downtown Kent

Owners opened first location in 2022 in Renton

Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent will give away more than 1,000 meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Nana’s Southern Kitchen
Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent to give away 1,000 meals Christmas Day

Fifth year of event to give back to community and provide meals to those in need

Kent School of Rock’s new owners Phil Gustavson, Joshila Wilson and Chris Wilson. COURTESY PHOTO, School of Rock
School of Rock Kent new owners plan relaunch party Dec. 14

Group looks to bring ‘fresh perspective and energy to iconic music education brand’

t
California-based El Pollo Loco picks Kent for first Washington location

L.A.-Mex chain restaurant known for its fire-grilled chicken

t
Dough Zone restaurant now open at Kent Station shopping center

Features Chinese comfort food, including soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, noodles and potstickers

The crew that completed Kent-based Blue Origin’s ninth human flight into space on Friday, Nov. 22. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin
Kent-based Blue Origin completes ninth human spaceflight

Six-member crew soars into space from West Texas for 10-minute flight

Advance Auto Parts plans to close its locations in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn. COURTESY PHOTO, Advance Auto Parts
Advance Auto Parts to close stores in Kent, Federal Way and Auburn

Part of nine closures in state and more than 500 across the nation

t
Kent-based Blue Origin reveals crew for ninth human flight to space

Flight scheduled for Friday, Nov. 22 from West Texas launch site