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Virgin Galactic’s ship launches from an airplane and requires two pilots. Blue Origin and SpaceX’s capsules are fully automated, but the passengers must pass medical screenings and, among other things, be able to quickly climb several flights of steps at the launch tower to get to the capsule – or out of it in an emergency.
This will be Blue Origin’s second launch of a crew.
Bezos was on the debut flight on July 20. He took along his brother, an 18-year-old from the Netherlands and 82-year-old aviation pioneer Wally Funk – the youngest and oldest to fly in space. Shatner will break that upper threshold by eight years.
“I’ve heard about space for a long time now. I’m taking the opportunity to see it for myself. What a miracle,” Shatner said in a statement.
Shatner played the role of the USS Starship Enterprise’s commander for three seasons, from 1966 to 1969. He also portrayed Captain Kirk in seven movies, directing one of them. He’s currently the host and executive producer of a History Channel show, The UnXplained.
Also flying with Shatner: Dr Boshuizen, a Sydney-born former NASA engineer who founded a nanosatellite company; and the co-founder of a software company specialising in clinical research. The two took part in the auction for a seat on the first flight. That seat cost $US28 million ($38.4 million); Blue Origin isn’t divulging any other ticket prices.
Australian Chris Boshuizen will join a William Shatner for a flight to the edge of space with Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin.Credit:Peter Prato
A fourth seat on the flight is going to Blue Origin’s vice-president of mission and flight operations.
Last week, more than 20 current and former Blue Origin employees accused the Kent, Washington-based company of having a toxic work environment and not adhering to proper safety protocols. Blue Origin said it doesn’t tolerate harassment or discrimination and stood by its safety record.
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Bezos’ company is also challenging a NASA contract award to SpaceX for providing a lunar lander that will return astronauts to the moon in a few years. Blue Origin was unsuccessful in its bid for the job.
AP
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