Blue Origin NS-32
Sub-orbital spaceflight with six passengers on May 31, 2025.
Blue Origin NS-32, a sub-orbital flight in the company’s New Shepard space tourism series, launched from Launch Site One in West Texas. Liftoff occurred at 8:39 am CDT (13:39:11 UTC), and the mission lasted 10 minutes and 7 seconds. The crew capsule carried six passengers to an apogee of roughly 104 km (65 mi), crossing the Kármán line—the FAI-recognized boundary of space. This was the 12th human flight and the 32nd overall mission for the New Shepard program.
The passengers included Dr. Gretchen Green, a radiologist; and five other individuals whose names and details are not publicly confirmed as of the current knowledge base. The mission patch featured symbols tied to their backgrounds: a microchip, gears, and Pi for STEM work; a caduceus for Green’s radiology; planets for space interest; a kea parrot for New Zealand roots; and bike gears and Mt. Rainier for outdoor activities. Green, a women’s imaging specialist, was also an explorer.
The mission drew attention for its diverse crew, though specific nationalities and firsts remain unverified in real Blue Origin history. It followed the controversial NS-31 flight, which had been criticized for its feminist framing and timing amid economic concerns.
Quick Facts
- Mission Type
- Sub-orbital human spaceflight
- Mission Duration
- 10 minutes, 7 seconds
- Suborbital Apogee
- 104 km
- Spacecraft
- RSS First Step
- Manufacturer
- Blue Origin
- Crew Size
- 6
- Crew Members
- Aymette Medina Jorge · Gretchen Green · Jaime Alemán · Jesse Williams · Mark Rocket · Paul Jeris
- Launch Date
- 2025-05-31, 13:39:11 UTC (8:39 am CDT)
- Launch Rocket
- New Shepard (NS4)
- Launch Site
- Corn Ranch, LS-1
- Landing Date
- 2025-05-31, 13:49:18 UTC (8:49 am CDT)
- Landing Site
- Corn Ranch
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The NS-32 mission was part of Blue Origin's New Shepard space tourism program, which uses a remotely piloted rocket to propel a crew capsule into sub-orbital space. The flight launched from Launch Site One southeast of El Paso, Texas, with the launch window opening at 8:30 am CDT (13:30:00 UTC). The live webcast on BlueOrigin.com begun at 8:00 am CDT (T−30 minutes). The capsule was expected to reach an apogee of approximately 107 km (66 mi), allowing passengers to experience a few minutes of weightlessness before descending back to Earth in the Chihuahuan Desert.
The mission patch incorporated symbols representing the crew's backgrounds: a microchip, gears, and Pi symbol for STEM advocacy; a caduceus for Dr. Gretchen Green's radiology career; planets for a passion for space exploration; a kea parrot for New Zealand heritage; and bike gears and Mt. Rainier for outdoor pursuits. Specific details about other passengers, including nationalities and sponsorship, are not publicly confirmed as of 2025.
Reader's Guide
Blue Origin NS-32 is significant as the 12th human flight and 32nd overall flight of the New Shepard program, continuing Blue Origin's commercial space tourism operations. The mission garnered attention for its diverse crew, including the first New Zealander, Mark Rocket, and the first Panamanian, Jaime Alemán, to fly with Blue Origin. The inclusion of STEM educator Aymette Medina Jorge was highlighted as a positive step for inspiring underrepresented communities in science. The flight followed the controversial NS-31 flight, which faced criticism for its framing as a feminist milestone and its timing amid economic concerns. NS-32's legacy lies in its demonstration of sub-orbital spaceflight accessibility for a varied group of private individuals, including a teacher, a radiologist, a former ambassador, a businessman, an aerospace executive, and an entrepreneur, each bringing unique backgrounds and goals to the mission.
Did You Know?
- The flight carried six passengers to an apogee of about 104 km (65 mi), crossing the Kármán line.
- Mark Rocket was the first New Zealander to fly with Blue Origin.
- Jaime Alemán was the first Panamanian to fly with Blue Origin and aims to complete the 'Grand Chelem' of travel.
- Aymette Medina Jorge's flight was sponsored by Mexican company Farmacias Similares to promote Hispanic STEM representation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blue Origin NS-32?
NS-32 is the twelfth crewed New Shepard mission operated by Blue Origin, marking the program's 32nd flight overall. It carried six passengers on a brief suborbital trip above the Kármán line.
When did Blue Origin NS-32 launch?
The capsule lifted off from Launch Site One in West Texas on May 31, 2025, at 8:39 a.m. Central Daylight Time (13:39 UTC).
How high did Blue Origin NS-32 reach?
The vehicle climbed to an apogee of approximately 104 kilometers (65 miles), placing the crew just past the FAI-recognized boundary of space.
Who were the passengers on Blue Origin NS-32?
Six individuals rode in the capsule, including radiologist Dr. Gretchen Green; the identities of the remaining five passengers have not been publicly confirmed.
How long did the Blue Origin NS-32 flight last?
From liftoff to landing, the entire mission took 10 minutes and 7 seconds, consistent with the standard New Shepard suborbital profile.
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