## Blue Origin Soars into 2026: New Shepard Completes 38th Mission with Historic Crew
Blue Origin has ignited its 2026 flight schedule with a triumphant start, successfully launching its 38th New Shepard suborbital mission into the cosmos. The aerospace company’s first flight of the year, designated NS-38, lifted off from its West Texas facility on Thursday, January 22, 2026, delivering an unforgettable 10-minute journey before executing a flawless return and landing.
The launch, captured in a dynamic video, showcased the powerful ascent of the New Shepard rocket, marking another significant milestone in the burgeoning field of commercial space tourism.
### A Landmark Achievement in Human Spaceflight
This recent success underscores Blue Origin’s unwavering commitment to making space accessible. As the company proudly announced on its website, “We just completed our 38th flight of the New Shepard program and the first of 2026.” More impressively, the program has now propelled a total of 98 humans (comprising 92 distinct individuals) beyond Earth’s atmosphere, steadily expanding the ranks of private astronauts.
Phil Joyce, the senior vice president of New Shepard, expressed profound gratitude following the mission. “As we enter 2026, we’re focused on continuing to deliver transformational experiences for our customers through the proven capability and reliability of New Shepard,” Joyce remarked. “We are grateful for our astronaut customers who put their trust in our team to bring this experience into reality.”
### Meet the Trailblazing Crew of NS-38
The NS-38 mission was crewed by an inspiring group of six individuals from diverse backgrounds, each embarking on a life-changing voyage to the stars:
* **Tim Drexler:** A seasoned helicopter and airline pilot, and former CEO of Ace Asphalt.
* **Dr. Linda Edwards:** A retired, board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist and a resilient two-time breast cancer survivor.
* **Alain Fernandez:** An accomplished international real estate developer.
* **Alberto Gutiérrez:** An innovative entrepreneur and the visionary founder behind Civitatis, a popular travel tour and activities platform.
* **Jim Hendren:** A distinguished retired U.S. Air Force colonel and a former F-15 fighter pilot.
* **Dr. Laura Stiles:** The dedicated director for Blue Origin’s New Shepard Launch Operations and Training organization.
These individuals represent the widening spectrum of people now able to experience the wonders of space travel, showcasing the personal and professional diversity that commercial spaceflight attracts.
### Understanding the New Shepard System
Named in honor of Alan Shepard, the pioneering American astronaut who became the first U.S. citizen in space, Blue Origin’s New Shepard program stands at the forefront of suborbital space exploration. This remarkable system is entirely reusable and was meticulously engineered from its inception for human spaceflight.
During its approximately 11-minute journey, New Shepard carries its passengers past the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space at 100 kilometers (62 miles) above Earth. Here, astronauts are treated to several minutes of profound weightlessness and unparalleled, awe-inspiring vistas of our home planet. A testament to advanced engineering, the entire vehicle operates with complete autonomy, requiring no onboard pilot.
### Beyond the Astronauts: A Message to the Future
Adding a heartwarming dimension to the NS-38 mission, Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future, also sent a unique payload into space. Over 20,000 postcards, each bearing personal messages, dreams, and reflections from people across the globe, traveled aboard the New Shepard. These “postcards to space” symbolize humanity’s collective aspirations and our innate drive to explore and connect, making the journey even more meaningful.