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We now have a launch date for Blue Origin’s New Shepard 37 crewed mission

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7 months ago

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Blue Origin New Shepard (NS-37) mission patch

Blue Origin has officially announced December 18 as the new target launch date for the upcoming New Shepard (NS-37) mission.

The rocket maker has announced that this crewed flight will lift off from Launch Site One in West Texas on Thursday, December 18. This date may change based on weather and launch preparations. The launch window will open at 8:30 AM CST (14:30 UTC). The live broadcast of the launch will start 40 minutes prior to the engine ignition.

The New Shepard will carry six passengers on its NS-37 mission, including:

  1. Michaela Benthaus – an aerospace and mechatronics engineer at the European Space Agency
  2. Joey Hyde – A physicist and quantitative investor
  3. Hans Koenigsmann – A German-American aerospace engineer
  4. Neal Milch – a global business executive and entrepreneur
  5. Adonis Pouroulis – A seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and mining engineer
  6. Jason Stansell – A space nerd from West Texas

Besides announcing the launch date, Blue Origin has also shared a New Shepard 37 mission patch featuring symbols such as DNA, hippo, baobab tree, spiral galaxy, dog-bone shape, and shards, representing different aspects of this flight crew as well as its purpose.

Blue Origin New Shepard (NS-37) mission patch

Blue Origin New Shepard (NS-37) mission patch

New Shepard

Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, New Shepard is a reusable suborbital rocket designed for astronauts who want to touch the boundary of space and experience several minutes of spaceflight. Unlike other space pods, the New Shepard doesn’t require humans to operate the spacecraft; instead, it’s autonomous due to its limited travel distance.

The New Shepard has a BE-3P engine, which kicks off the mission and takes the rocket into space. The rocket also contains rings and wedge fins to stabilize aerodynamics and provide fuel efficiency upon return. Speaking of return, the drag brakes and aft fins help the rocket to steer back to the landing site with one final burn.

As of December 12, 2025, Blue Origin has sent 86 people above the Karman Line, the internationally recognized border of space.

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Mannoo specializes in Generative AI, Large Language Model (LLM), and Aerospace Science. Prior to delving into these fields, he was a Python programmer, a game designer, and an Android and iOS app developer with over 5 years of experience. He has prior writing experience in creative writing about smartphones and technology before working at Eonmsk.com. You can explore his X/TWitter and LinkedIn pages or contact him through his email.

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