It seems that the trend of celebrities heading to space has well taken off. This comes with wealthy folks like 59-year-old Jeff Bezos and 72-year-old Richard Branson making this possible through their own space exploration companies. Lauren Sanchez, Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend, will make headlines next. The 53-year-old will be leading the first-ever all-female expedition into space.
Jeff Bezos’ private space company called Blue Origin has planned the first mission of its kind
Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ private company will be funding the mission led by his girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez. Expected to launch somewhere in 2024, the task will be an exciting first for us all. NASA recently announced a similar plan for 2025, so it seems Bezos and Sanchez beat them to it.
We often assume that the women in these men’s arms are quite ditsy and grab on for the money, but Lauren Sanchez is a bit different. She holds a helicopter pilot license and is the founder of Black Ops Aviation. The aviation company is female-owned and does aerial film and production, so space seems like the natural next step for her.
The all-female team led by Lauren Sanchez has not yet been confirmed
Jeff Bezos’ girlfriend explained the importance of the trip. “It’s going to be women who are making a difference in the world and who are impactful and have a message to send.” She added that Bezos is excited for her, although he won’t be joining. The five woman crew is not yet confirmed, but the company adds that training is completed within two days.
She continues: “As much as he wants to go on this flight, I’m going to have to hold him back. He’ll be cheering us all on from the sidelines. I’ve wanted to be in the rocket from the jump. So he is excited to make this happen with all of these women.”
Bezos visited space in 2021
Jeff visited space in 2021. He brought his brother Mark Bezos, 56, female aviator Wally Funk, 83, and physics student Oliver Daemen, 20, along. Star Trek star William Shatner and Good Morning America news anchor Michael Strahan have also accompanied him into space. It seems if you have the cash, opportunities are endless.
The Blue Origin shuttle whips people up around 60 miles above the Earth’s surface, lasting about 10 minutes. The breathtaking view from this height is something one can only imagine unless up there oneself. The experience of floating without gravity before returning to Earth must be truly mesmerizing. This is before descending to Earth in a parachute-controlled landing.
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The most recent flight took place in 2022
The sixth and most recent crewed flight took place in August of 2022 for Blue Origin. Sara Sabry, an Egyptian space engineer, and Mario Ferrari, a Portuguese national, joined the trip. A historic moment for both Egypt and Portugal. The era of commercialized space travel is upon us, and if Bezos has his way, it won’t be much longer before these trips become a regular event.
So if you’re keen on space travel and all things out there, it’s time to look up at the sky and follow the ongoings out there. Well… Maybe not for everyone at an estimated $1.25 million a seat on the shuttle. I think we’ll just stay at home for now. Let’s hope that as things become more available, the prices drop so that more of us can grab a view from up there too!
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Sources
- “Jeff Bezos’ Girlfriend Lauren Sanchez Will Lead The First Ever All-Female Crew To Space.” Mashable. Hadi Khan. January 30, 2023
- “Jeff Bezos’ Girlfriend To Lead All-Female Space Expedition.” IGV Official. Rosario Monachino. February 3, 2023