Blue Origin Launches First Crewed Spaceflight of 2026: Meet the NS-38 Crew and Ticket Cost

Blue Origin has successfully launched its first human spaceflight of 2026, sending six passengers to the edge of space aboard its New Shepard rocket. The suborbital mission marked the company’s 38th New Shepard flight and added to its growing list of commercial space tourism milestones.

Blue Origin Sends Six Passengers to Space on First 2026 New Shepard Flight

Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has completed its first crewed spaceflight of 2026. The mission, known as New Shepard NS-38, carried six passengers on a brief suborbital journey to the edge of space from the company’s launch site in West Texas.

The flight marked the 38th mission of the New Shepard programme and further expanded Blue Origin’s commercial human spaceflight record.

New Shepard NS-38 Mission Details

Launch Time and Flight Duration

New Shepard mission NS-38 lifted off on Thursday, January 22, at approximately 9:55 pm IST, following a short delay.

The total flight duration was around 11 minutes, during which the crew experienced several minutes of weightlessness and observed Earth from space before safely returning to the Texas desert.

Blue Origin’s Human Spaceflight Milestone

With the completion of NS-38:

• 98 people have now flown to space aboard New Shepard

• These flights span 17 human spaceflights

• 92 unique individuals have participated

• Six passengers have flown more than once

Blue Origin’s first crewed mission launched on July 20, 2021, coinciding with the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing.

Passengers on Blue Origin’s NS-38 Suborbital Mission

Crew Members Aboard New Shepard NS-38

The reusable rocket-and-capsule system carried the following six passengers:

• Tim Drexler

• Linda Edwards

• Alain Fernandez

• Alberto Gutiérrez

• Jim Hendren

• Laura Stiles

Blue Origin confirmed that Laura Stiles joined the mission as a late replacement for Andrew Yaffe, who withdrew due to illness. Yaffe is scheduled to fly on a future New Shepard mission.

Crew Profiles

Tim Drexler

A former owner and CEO of Ace Asphalt, Drexler spent four decades in civil contracting before transitioning into aviation. He now flies helicopters and aeroplanes.

Linda Edwards

Edwards is a retired obstetrician and gynaecologist, an award-winning equestrian, a two-time breast cancer survivor, and a wildlife advocate who has travelled to more than 40 countries.

Alain Fernandez

A real estate developer with over 30 years of experience, Fernandez previously worked as a scuba instructor in French Polynesia and recovered from a serious diving accident.

Alberto Gutiérrez

Gutiérrez is the founder of Civitatis, a tours and activities platform. A technologist and frequent traveller, he has visited more than 100 countries across all seven continents.

Jim Hendren

A retired US Air Force Colonel, Hendren is a former F-15 fighter pilot who commanded the 157th Combat Operations Squadron. He is also the founder of Hendren Plastics Inc.

Laura Stiles

Stiles holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering Sciences and serves as Director of New Shepard Launch Operations at Blue Origin. She also holds the world record for large-formation skydiving and has mentored young engineers for several years.

Ticket Prices for Blue Origin’s New Shepard Flights

How Much Does a Seat Cost?

Blue Origin has not officially disclosed ticket prices for New Shepard missions. However:

• Industry estimates place the cost between $200,000 and $300,000 per seat

• This is lower than rival Virgin Galactic, which charges around $600,000

• Some passengers have flown using grants or external funding

According to USA Today, prospective customers must agree to a $150,000 deposit when submitting a booking form.

Why the NS-38 Mission Matters

The successful NS-38 flight reinforces Blue Origin’s position in the commercial space tourism market, as the company continues regular human launches using its fully reusable New Shepard system. The mission also signals Blue Origin’s intent to maintain consistent crewed operations in 2026, amid growing competition in private spaceflight.