Blue Origin's NS-37: Six people, 1 quick trip to space
Blue Origin's New Shepard NS-37 is launching Thursday, December 18, sending six passengers on a speedy 10-12 minutes hop just past the edge of space.
The crew includes Michaela Benthaus (an ESA engineer and wheelchair user), Joey Hyde (astrophysicist), Hans Koenigsmann (rocket veteran), Neal Milch (business leader and genetics advocate), Adonis Pouroulis (mining entrepreneur), and Jason Stansell (Texas computer scientist).
Who's flying—and what makes this crew unique?
This flight brings together a seriously diverse group: Benthaus is breaking barriers as a crew member who uses a wheelchair after a spinal injury; Koenigsmann brings years of rocket know-how; others are scientists, entrepreneurs, and outreach advocates.
Each patch on their mission suit even highlights something personal—like Benthaus's hippo for her favorite animal and comfort after her injury or Pouroulis's baobab tree for his South African heritage.
How to watch it live
Want to catch the launch? Blue Origin will stream the event live on its official website, beginning about 40 minutes before the 8:00pm IST launch window opens.