Blue Origin NS-38
Next chapter in Blue Origin's suborbital tourism program.
Morley Roberts · Public domain
Blue Origin NS-38 is a planned sub-orbital spaceflight operated by Blue Origin as part of its New Shepard space tourism program. It is scheduled to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas, carrying six passengers to an apogee above the Kármán line. The mission is part of Blue Origin's ongoing flight campaign.
Quick Facts
- Mission Type
- Sub-orbital human spaceflight
- Mission Duration
- 10 minutes, 12 seconds
- Suborbital Apogee
- 106 km
- Spacecraft
- RSS First Step
- Manufacturer
- Blue Origin
- Crew Size
- 6
- Crew Members
- Tim Drexler · Linda Edwards · Alain Fernandez · Alberto Gutiérrez · Jim Hendren · Laura Stiles
- Launch Date
- 21 January 2026, 16:25:35 UTC
- Launch Rocket
- New Shepard (NS4)
- Launch Site
- Corn Ranch, West Texas
- Landing Date
- 21 January 2026, 16:35:47 UTC
- Landing Site
- Corn Ranch
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The crew of NS-38 has not been officially announced by Blue Origin. As with previous New Shepard flights, the passenger manifest is expected to include a mix of private individuals and possibly payload specialists. No mission patch or crew-specific symbols have been released for this flight.
Reader's Guide
Blue Origin NS-38 represents the culmination of a series of sub-orbital tourist flights before a planned operational pause. Its crew included a mix of professionals from aerospace, business, medicine, real estate, travel, and politics, reflecting the broadening demographic of commercial spaceflight. The mission's patch design, rich with personal symbolism, underscores the individualized nature of space tourism. As the last New Shepard flight before a two-year hiatus, NS-38 marks a transitional moment in Blue Origin's spaceflight program, highlighting both the achievements and the uncertainties of the commercial space industry.
Did You Know?
- The live webcast for NS-38 is expected to begin roughly 40 minutes before launch.
- Blue Origin has not announced any two-year pause in New Shepard operations; the company continues to fly regular missions.
- As of the latest updates, no specific crew members or mission patch details have been confirmed for NS-38.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Blue Origin NS-38?
NS-38 is a planned suborbital spaceflight under Blue Origin's New Shepard tourism program. It is designed to carry six passengers on a short trip that peaks above the Kármán line before returning to Earth.
When is Blue Origin NS-38 scheduled to launch?
As of the latest available information, a specific launch date has not yet been confirmed. The mission is listed as part of Blue Origin's ongoing New Shepard flight campaign, with the date still marked as TBD.
Where does Blue Origin NS-38 launch from?
The flight is set to depart from Launch Site One, Blue Origin's dedicated pad located in West Texas. This is the same facility used for the company's other New Shepard tourist flights.
How many passengers ride on Blue Origin NS-38?
The mission is planned to seat six passengers, which is the standard crew complement for a New Shepard suborbital hop. No crew members beyond the six tourists are indicated for this particular flight.
Why is Blue Origin NS-38 notable to spaceflight fans?
It represents the next entry in Blue Origin's steadily growing tally of New Shepard tourist flights, continuing the company's campaign to offer repeated, short-duration space access. For followers of commercial suborbital travel, each new NS-numbered mission marks another step in normalizing civilian access to the edge of space.
More in Suborbital human spaceflights 1-24
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