Blue Origin New Shepard (NS-38) completes crewed flight

On January 22, 2026, Blue Origin launched the New Shepard Mission NS-38 mission and marked a success. This was the 38th flight for the New Shepard program and the first crewed mission of the year. The rocket lifted off from Launch Site One in West Texas.

The mission carried six crew members: Tim Drexler, Dr. Linda Edwards, Alain Fernandez, Alberto Gutiérrez, Jim Hendren, and Dr. Laura Stiles. Dr. Stiles, Blue Origin’s Director of New Shepard Launch Operations, joined the crew after one original member was unable to fly due to illness and will take a future flight. The crew experienced weightlessness after capsule separation and returned safely, with the capsule touching down successfully.

The key milestone of the mission was to reach space, crossing the Kármán line. The reusable system demonstrated its reliability once more. With this flight, New Shepard has now flown 98 humans (92 unique individuals) to space. The mission helps verify core technologies, operational procedures, and safety systems that support Blue Origin’s broader goals.

“As we enter 2026, we’re focused on continuing to deliver transformational experiences for our customers through the proven capability and reliability of New Shepard. We are grateful for our astronaut customers who put their trust in our team to bring this experience into reality,” said Phil Joyce, Senior Vice President of New Shepard.

Before the launch, Blue Origin published the NS-38 mission patch, which includes personal symbols from the crew, such as aviation elements, medical motifs, and beacons of inspiration. Blue Origin shared live updates during the flight, including clearance of the tower, weightlessness confirmation, and capsule touchdown.