Blue Origin rocket launch: fourth manned flight lands after 10 minutes in space

Comedian Pete Davidson dropped out due to 'scheduling' conflict

A Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launches from Launch Site One in West Texas north of Van Horn on Thursday. AFP

Blue Origin, billionaire Jeff Bezos's private space venture, notched its fourth manned flight on Thursday, landing successfully in rural west Texas after taking a half dozen passengers for a 10-minute suborbital joyride.

The New Shepard spacecraft blasted off at 8.59am CDT (1357 GMT) and the crew capsule separated from the six-storey-tall rocket a short time later as it soared to an altitude of 106 kilometre.

The crew members experienced a few minutes of weightlessness at the very apex of their brief ride before the capsule fell back to Earth to the desert floor under a canopy of three parachutes, landing safely outside the west Texas town of Van Horn.

Paying customers included angel investor Marty Allen, real estate veteran Marc Hagle and his wife, Sharon Hagle, entrepreneur and University of North Carolina professor Jim Kitchen and George Nield, founder and president of Commercial Space Technologies. All were giddy with excitement as they exited the hatch.

On the ground, Ms Hagle embraced family members and exclaimed: “I want you to do it!”

The flight came two days after it was initially scheduled, with poor weather forcing the mission to be postponed on Tuesday.

“When we got above 100,000 feet, you saw the sky getting darker and darker, it was just gorgeous,” said Mr Nield. “Pictures don't do it justice.”

Unlike Blue Origin's past crewed flights, which featured passenger rosters including Star Trek actor William Shatner, morning TV host Michael Strahan and Mr Bezos himself, nobody on Thursday's flight was particularly famous.

Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson had been confirmed as a non-paying promotional guest on the latest flight, but he dropped out earlier this month when the planned launch was postponed from its original March 23 date to allow time for additional preflight tests.

Days later, the company announced that Davidson, the boyfriend of reality TV star Kim Kardashian, had been replaced on the latest “crew” manifest by veteran Blue Origin designer Gary Lai, architect of the New Shepard reusable launch system.

Mr Lai flew for free.

Mr Bezos, founder of online retail company Amazon, was part of Blue Origin's inaugural crewed flight to the edge of space last July. He accompanied his brother, Mark Bezos, trailblazing octogenarian woman aviator Wally Funk and an 18-year-old Dutch high school graduate.

Mural displaying Jeff Bezos and his brother Mark Bezos, in Van Horn, Texas, where Blue Origin rocket launches take place. Reuters

Though Texas has mountain ranges throughout the state, the 10 freeway and roads in and out of Van Horn are known for its wide expanses, perfect for launching rockets. Holly Aguirre / The National

Blue Origin's founder Jeff Bezos visited Van Horn, Texas many times before deciding it was the perfect place to launch his rockets. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launch outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launch outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's founder Jeff Bezos celebrates his first successful landing in the desert outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket landing on the desert terrain outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

Members on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket experience the true effects of weightlessness before landing outside Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's New Shepard team members pose after touching down in the desert outside of Van Horn, Texas. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket launches carrying passengers Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon and space tourism company Blue Origin, brother Mark Bezos, Oliver Daemen and Wally Funk, from its spaceport near Van Horn, Texas on July 20, 2021. AP

William Shatner, center, speaks as Audrey Powers, left, and Chris Boshuizen appear during a press opportunity at the Blue Origin spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, on October 13, 2021. The "Star Trek" actor and the three fellow passengers soared to an altitude of 107 kilometres over the West Texas desert near Van Horn in a fully automated capsule, in a flight that lasted just over 10 minutes. AP

Parachutes carrying Blue Origin's capsule with passengers William Shatner, Chris Boshuizen, Audrey Powers and Glen de Vries going down to the spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, last October. AP

"Good Morning America" host and former NFL star Michael Strahan laughs with Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, during a media availability on the landing pad after they flew into space aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP

Onlookers watch as Blue Origin’s New Shepard flies toward space carrying "Good Morning America" host Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, and four other civilians on December 11, 2021 near Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP

This framegrab obtained from Blue Origin, shows the December team landing in West Texas near Van Horn. AFP PHOTO / Blue Origin

A Blue Origin New Shepard rocket returns to Earth at the company's West Texas headquarters near Van Horn. The Guadalupe Mountain Range can be seen in the foreground. AFP

Spectators are now flocking to Van Horn, Texas to watch Blue Origin's rocket launches. Reuters

A sign at the entrance to space company Blue Origin. Reuters

El Capitan is the southern-most point of the Guadalupe Mountains. At 2,464 metres above sea level, El Capitan is the eighth highest peak in Texas and about an hour north from Van Horn, Texas. Photo by Laurence Parent

The Hotel El Capitan is a historic hotel located in the center of downtown Van Horn, Texas and the jewel of the small town. Photo: Texas Historical Commission

Located at the crossroads of the Carlsbad Caverns, Guadalupe and Big Bend National Parks, Hotel El Capitan was built in 1930. Holly Aguirre / The National

Travellers visiting the Guadalupe Mountain National Park often stop in Van Horn, Texas for a respite at the historic El Capitan Hotel. Holly Aguirre / The National

Architect Henry Charles Trost designed buildings all across Texas, Arizona and New Mexico. This is the Hotel El Capitan interior garden. Holly Aguirre / The National

Hotel El Capitan lobby. Holly Aguirre / The National

Hotel El Capitan hallway. Holly Aguirre / The National

Some of the rooms at the Hotel El Capitan overlook the courtyard. Hotel El Capitan

Your four-legged friends are welcome at the Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National

The entrance to the historic Hotel El Capitan in Van Horn, Texas. Holly Aguirre / The National

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An aerial view shows the logo of the Van Horn Eagles football team on a water tower in Van Horn, Texas where- Blue Origin held several rocket launches last year. AFP

Cody Colchado and Lupe Colchado eat lunch at the Chuy's Mexican restaurant before Jeff Bezos’ scheduled launch in his Blue Origin rocket from a launchpad in West Texas on July 19, 2021 in Van Horn, Texas. Getty Images / AFP

Hikers visiting the Guadalupe Mountains National Park often take a rest in the shady Grotto, which provides a picturesque setting for a picnic and a rest while hiking in McKittrick Canyon. Photo by National Parks Service

The Ship on the Desert is an early example of 20th-century modernism, distinct for West Texas and sits at the base of the Guadalupe Mountains National Park, an hour north of Van Horn, Texas. Photo by National Parks Service

Van Horn, Texas is the last stop before the turnoff to Marfa, a tiny artist town put on the map after James Dean starred in "Giant", which was filmed there in 1956. Holly Aguirre / The National

Longfellow Ranch is a working cattle ranch and includes the Pinon gas field which offers five-star room and dining facilities for corporate events and guests. Photo: RanchWork

Jeff Bezos bought Longfellow Ranch in 2005, according to NBC News, which is the same time the billionaire bought 66.773 hectares in West Texas. Photo: RanchWork

NBC News reported that Jeff Bezos bought the Longfellow Ranch in 2005, which was the same year he bought 66,773 hectares in same area. Photo: RanchWork

The Blue Origin launch site and facility are located near Van Horn in West Texas. Photo: Blue Origin