Jeff Bezos space flight: Launch time, flight duration and how to watch

20 July 2021, 09:50 | Updated: 20 July 2021, 09:55

Jeff Bezos space flight: Launch time, flight duration and how to watch
Jeff Bezos space flight: Launch time, flight duration and how to watch. Picture: PA

By Emma Clarke

Amazon boss Jeff Bezos will be blasted into space today, as part of Blue Origin's New Shepard launch.

Mere days after Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic spaceflight, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos will be heading to the edge of space today in Blue Origin's first-ever human flight.

Bezos himself will be on-board - along with his brother Mark, 82-year-old aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and the company's first paying customer, Oliver Daemen.

The four men will travel inside an astronaut capsule atop of the New Shepard rocket (named after US pilot Alan Shepard), built by Bezos' private space company.

Here's everything you need to know about today's spaceflight from Launch Site One in Texas - including the schedule, duration and how to watch live.

What time is the Blue Origin launch?

While the livestream will commence from 7.30am ET (12.30pm BST), the launch itself is scheduled to take place at 9.00am ET - or 2.00pm in the UK.

As with any space launch, however, there may be a slight delay.

How long is the flight?

On Sunday, Blue Origin announced that everything was set for its first-ever human spaceflight.

The passengers include the Amazon billionaire, his brother Mark, aviation pioneer Wally Funk and 18-year-old student, Oliver Daemen - Blue Origin's first paying customer.

In total, the flight lasts around 12 minutes and will propel the crew over 100km above the Earth's surface, before re-entering the atmosphere.

The passengers will be weightless for about four minutes before they're returned to Earth.

So far, the New Shepard rocket has completed 15 un-crewed test launches.

How much does a Blue Origin flight cost?

Ariane Cornell, who looks after the company's sales, revealed at a press briefing: "From a sales perspective, we are particularly excited because we’re flying our first paying customer on New Shepard."

Back in June, a seat on the flight was auctioned off at a staggering $28million (£20.5million) in under seven minutes.

However, Daemen has stepped in for the mystery bidder.

Can I watch the launch in the UK?

You sure can!

Blue Origin will be live streaming the launch on its website here, as well as on YouTube.

New Shepard First Human Flight

The company will also be posting updates on its Twitter page.

Latest World News

See more Latest World News

The damaged shield

'Risk of radioactive leak' after Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl, causing 'significant damage'

The woman was attacked by a shark

Horror as woman loses both hands after being mauled by shark as husband desperately fights it off

United States Vice-President JD Vance, second right, meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, third left, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference in Munich

'Putin is a liar': Zelenskyy's warning to Trump as Ukraine's leader voices concern over 'risky' phone calls with Russia

JD Vance

Free speech is 'in retreat' across Europe, claims JD Vance - as US brands it a 'bigger threat than Russia'

Hostages (L-R) Sasha Trufanov, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Yair Horn,

Hamas confirms names of Israeli hostages due for release on Saturday

Danielle McLaughlin's killer Baghat was finally found guilty today

Indian man is found guilty of raping and murdering Irish backpacker Danielle McLaughlin in a field in Goa

Starmer welcomes Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine, to Downing Street

Starmer tells Zelenskyy Ukraine remains on 'irreversible path to NATO membership' as leaders share phone call

Kayaker Adrian Simancas after being briefly swallowed by a humpback whale

Kayaker breaks silence over 'terrifying' moment he was swallowed whole by humpback whale - then spat back out

Pope Francis

Pope Francis to be admitted to hospital for bronchitis treatment

One Briton has died in a car crash in New Zealand

One Brit dead and three fighting for lives after car crashes into tourists’ hired bikes in New Zealand

A drone hit the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine

Russian 'high explosive' drone hits Chernobyl causing 'significant damage' to shelter protecting world from radiation

JD Vance has warned the US could take military action against Russia.

US threatens Russia with military action if Ukraine peace talks fail as Putin hits Chernobyl with 'high-explosive warhead'

Donald Trump has been accused of 'appeasement'

Ukraine’s future at stake as world leaders gather in Munich - with Trump accused of ‘appeasing’ Putin

Near-Earth asteroid, artwork

NASA scientist reveals list of countries that face being hit by huge 'city killer' asteroid the size of Big Ben

This illustrative image shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and United States President Donald Trump (right).

Donald Trump is 'setting preconditions for withdrawing from NATO', his former advisor tells LBC

Naya Rivera

Glee star Naya Rivera's heartbreaking final words to her son before she drowned revealed