Space Tourism Soars as Blue Origin Now Prepares to Launch Six Tourists to Space from Texas

Published on December 14, 2025

One of the latest developments in the space tourism business is that Jeff Bezos’ private space company, Blue Origin, is getting ready for its 37th New Shepard mission, which is scheduled to liftoff from the company’s facility in the West Texas desert on Monday, the 18th of December 2025. This is yet another significant development for the company, as it prepares to send the sixth batch of civilian passengers to the Karman line, which is recognized globally as the boundary of space, through a sub-orbital flight. This flight is to be live-streamed on the official website of Blue Origin.

This mission, called the NS-37, is also significant for the passengers who will get to enjoy the experience of weightlessness as they witness the earth from a unique perspective. This is a historical event for any individual who is passionate about the exploration of space, and with this mission, it is evident that any individual, regardless of their social standing, can explore space with companies like Blue Origin. This is a revolution that is transforming the way through which tourism is looked at with respect to space.

Diverse Crew of Passengers Representing Different Backgrounds

The NS-37 flight features a diverse and dynamic crew of six passengers who will make history as part of Blue Origin’s latest space tourism endeavor. Each passenger brings their own unique perspective to the mission, highlighting the inclusivity of space exploration. The group includes Michaela Benthaus, Joey Hyde, Hans Koenigsmann, Neal Milch, Adonis Pouroulis, and Jason Stansell.

Michaela Benthaus, an ESA engineer and wheelchair user, has long been an advocate for making space accessible to everyone, regardless of physical limitations. Benthaus, who suffered a spinal cord injury that left her in a wheelchair, has already flown on a Zero-G research flight and participated in an analog astronaut mission. Her participation in the NS-37 mission serves as an inspiration to those who face physical challenges, demonstrating that space exploration should be inclusive of all people, irrespective of their disabilities.

Joey Hyde, an astrophysicist, credits his love for space to his grandparents, who took him to witness the 1988 launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis. This experience ignited a passion for space that led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Astrophysics. Hyde’s involvement in the NS-37 mission reflects his personal commitment to mentoring future scientists and sharing the wonders of space with younger generations, inspiring the next wave of space enthusiasts and researchers.

Veteran Rocket Scientist Joins the Mission

Hans Koenigsmann, a rocket veteran, brings a wealth of experience to the mission. Having played a crucial role in making reusable launch vehicles a reality during his time at SpaceX, Koenigsmann has been a key figure in the development of space travel technology. His expertise continues to shape the commercial space industry, and his participation in the NS-37 mission emphasizes the growing collaboration between space tourism companies and industry experts.

Science Advocacy and Genetics Passion on Board

Neal Milch, a business leader and passionate genetics advocate, is known for his commitment to advancing scientific knowledge. His personal motto, “In Omnia Paratus” (Ready for Anything), speaks to his readiness to embrace the challenges of space travel. Milch’s inclusion in the NS-37 flight highlights the importance of integrating science and business, using the platform of space tourism to promote scientific inquiry and understanding.

Adonis Pouroulis, a mining entrepreneur with extensive experience in natural resources and renewable energy projects across Africa, brings a unique perspective to the mission. Pouroulis’s South African roots are represented in the NS-37 mission patch, which features the symbol of a baobab tree—a symbol of resilience and longevity. His involvement underscores the global appeal of space travel and the growing international interest in commercial space exploration.

From Computer Science to Space Exploration

Jason Stansell, a Texas-based computer scientist and self-proclaimed space nerd, completes the crew with his diverse background in scuba diving, rocketry, and science outreach. Stansell is passionate about promoting critical thinking and inspiring young people to explore careers in science and technology. His participation in the NS-37 mission reflects his belief in the power of space exploration to foster curiosity, collaboration, and scientific advancement.

Each of the passengers has a personal story and connection to space, which is beautifully illustrated in the NS-37 mission patch. The patch features symbols representing each crew member’s background and aspirations, including Benthaus’s plush hippo, Hyde’s spiral galaxy, and fragments symbolizing Blue Origin’s mission to make space more accessible to everyone. These symbols not only reflect the passengers’ individual journeys but also represent the collective vision of Blue Origin to democratize space travel.

Space Tourism’s Growing Impact on Travel and the Economy

The NS-37 mission is not just about sending private citizens into space—it’s about highlighting the immense potential of space tourism to reshape the travel industry. As space travel becomes more accessible, it is opening new doors for people to explore the universe beyond the Earth’s atmosphere. For tourists, this represents an exciting new frontier in travel, offering an experience unlike any other.

The growing interest in space tourism is also having significant economic implications. By allowing civilians to participate in space missions, companies like Blue Origin are paving the way for a new industry that will not only create jobs and innovation but also spur interest in space-related fields like aerospace engineering, STEM education, and commercial space services. This new wave of space tourism could lead to further advancements in space technology and exploration, benefiting not only the tourism industry but also the broader global economy.

The Future of Space Tourism: Beyond Suborbital Flights

While the NS-37 mission is a suborbital flight, it represents just the beginning of what could be an era of space tourism. As technology improves and costs decrease, space tourism is expected to become more widespread and accessible to a larger segment of the population. This could lead to the development of space hotels, moon travel, and even longer-term trips to Mars, opening up entirely new horizons for adventure travel.

Blue Origin and other space tourism companies are setting the stage for a future where space tourism could be as routine as flying commercially today. As the industry continues to evolve, it will offer even more unique opportunities for travelers to explore the cosmos and experience the wonders of space firsthand.

A Historic Moment for Space Travel and Tourism

The NS-37 mission is the first of its kind, combining six customers who will witness space and a view that humankind has been privileged to experience. Bringing people together from all walks of life into one single cause, space exploration shows its attractiveness to everyone irrespective of background, geography, or culture. This mission solidifies leading commercial space flights into the future, where space tourism will get brighter with more views for exploration, innovation, and inspiration. For the travelers, this is just the beginning of the journey into the final frontier.