Blue Origin, the US private spaceflight company founded by Jeff Bezos, is gearing up for its NS-38 suborbital space tourism mission, scheduled to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas on January 22, 2026. The flight will carry six private citizens on a brief journey above the internationally recognised boundary of space, continuing the company’s expanding portfolio of commercial crewed flights.
A Milestone in Suborbital Tourism
NS-38 is part of Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme, a reusable rocket and capsule system designed to give civilians a taste of spaceflight by reaching beyond the Kármán line — the widely accepted altitude of space at about 100 km (62 miles) above Earth’s surface. The mission duration is expected to be roughly 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to landing, with passengers experiencing several minutes of weightlessness and a panoramic view of Earth against the backdrop of space.
This flight marks the 38th New Shepard mission, continuing a series that blends uncrewed research flights with crewed space tourism missions. Among earlier missions, Blue Origin has already sent numerous civilians — including scientists, entrepreneurs and enthusiasts — on short suborbital journeys, helping to define a new era in commercial space access.
Crew and Experience
For NS-38, the six passengers encompass a mix of backgrounds, from entrepreneurship and aviation to space operations leadership. Notable crew members include executive and pilot Tim Drexler, retired obstetrician–gynecologist Linda Edwards, real estate developer Alain Fernandez, technology entrepreneur Alberto Gutiérrez, retired U.S. Air Force Col. Jim Hendren, and Laura Stiles, Blue Origin’s director of New Shepard launch operations.
Stiles was announced as a late addition, stepping in for a passenger who is unable to fly due to illness, with the company saying that individual will be re-scheduled for a future mission.
What to Expect on Flight Day
Launch operations for NS-38 are set to begin in the morning, with the launch window opening at 9:30 a.m. EST (1430 UTC). Viewers around the world will be able to follow the launch via livestream as the New Shepard booster and capsule ascend, separate, and complete the suborbital arc before safely returning to Earth.
During the flight, participants will experience weightlessness and enjoy wide views of our planet before the capsule descends under parachutes and lands back at the West Texas site. The booster is designed to land autonomously near the launch pad for reuse on future flights, a key element of Blue Origin’s cost-efficient flight system.
A Growing Commercial Spaceflight Sector
Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme is among the most active in suborbital space tourism, having already flown passengers on dozens of missions and pioneered accessibility milestones, such as flying a wheelchair user above the Kármán line.
The NS-38 mission underscores continued commercial interest in suborbital tourism and reflects the broader expansion of private human spaceflight, alongside efforts by companies like Virgin Galactic. While ticket prices for New Shepard flights have not been publicly disclosed for recent missions, the experiences offered are at the forefront of what many see as the next chapter in opening space to non-professional astronauts.
As Blue Origin’s next launch approaches, eyes around the world will be watching to see how this suborbital adventure adds to the growing history of private space travel.
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