Blue Origin has successfully completed the 28th mission of its New Shepard program, marking the ninth human spaceflight in its history. The NS-28 flight saw six astronauts, including two returning spacefarers, embark on a journey beyond the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space. With this latest flight, the New Shepard program has now carried a total of 47 individuals into space.
The Astronaut Crew of NS-28
The NS-28 mission featured an accomplished and diverse crew:
Emily Calandrelli: Known as The Space Gal to her nearly three million followers, Emily is an MIT engineer, Emmy-nominated TV host, and advocate for STEM education. She is celebrated for her work in inspiring young girls to pursue careers in science and technology.
Sharon Hagle: Founder of the nonprofit SpaceKids Global, Sharon works to engage students globally in STEAM education. Having flown previously on NS-20, she returned to space alongside her husband, Marc, making them pioneers as the first married couple to travel on a commercial spacecraft.
Marc Hagle: President and CEO of Tricor International, Marc is a philanthropist and visionary in real estate development. Like Sharon, Marc’s return to space highlights his commitment to inspiring future generations.
Austin Litteral: A financial services professional and devoted family man, Austin achieved his childhood dream of becoming an astronaut. His journey was sponsored by Whatnot, a livestream shopping platform.
James (J.D.) Russell: An entrepreneur and founder of InfoHOA, J.D. is dedicated to philanthropy and education, honoring his late daughter’s memory through initiatives such as the Victoria Russell Foundation.
Henry (Hank) Wolfond: A Canadian entrepreneur, aviator, and philanthropist, Hank holds licenses for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. He also leads efforts in social advocacy and serves on various nonprofit boards.
A Mission Dedicated to Inspiration
The mission was not only a technical achievement but also a testament to the power of space exploration to inspire. “It’s always moving to witness an astronaut crew return from space changed by their experience on New Shepard,” remarked Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of the New Shepard program. He emphasized the importance of missions like NS-28 in fostering interest in STEAM fields and encouraging the next generation of innovators.
The NS-28 mission patch itself reflects the aspirations and stories of the crew members, with symbolic designs representing their individual contributions and visions for space exploration.
Continuing the Journey
Blue Origin continues to pave the way for accessible space travel. For those eager to follow in the footsteps of the NS-28 crew, opportunities to fly aboard New Shepard as an astronaut or to send payloads on future missions are available. Additionally, commemorative merchandise from the mission is now on sale, providing enthusiasts a tangible connection to the milestone event.
This mission underscores Blue Origin’s commitment to “building a road to space for the benefit of Earth,” as the company moves closer to its vision of making space accessible to all.
For live updates on future missions and more, visit Blue Origin’s website and follow the company across its social media channels.
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