Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin to Take an Indian to Space

In a groundbreaking move towards space accessibility, the US-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) and Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin have announced a partnership with India for their upcoming human spaceflight program.

This collaboration aims to provide Indian citizens with the opportunity to journey beyond Earth’s atmosphere.

The program offers Indian participants a chance to secure one of six seats on Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket. The 11-minute suborbital flight will cross the Karman line, reaching an altitude of 100 km. During this journey, astronauts will experience weightlessness and enjoy a panoramic view of Earth.

This initiative focuses on nations with limited or no previous citizen astronaut representation. Registration for Indian citizens is available for a nominal fee of $2.50. The final candidate selection will involve a public voting process, with chosen participants required to meet Blue Origin’s physical requirements.

SERA’s co-founder, Joshua Skurla, expressed enthusiasm about India’s involvement, praising the country’s recent lunar achievements. He emphasised that this program aligns with SERA’s mission to democratise space travel and offers a unique opportunity for Indian space enthusiasts.

Pre-flight training for the selected crew will take place at Blue Origin’s West Texas facility. The crew will arrive three days before the flight to prepare for their journey.