<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - Bezos' Blue Origin space tourism to auction off seat on first flight"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Jeff Bezos' first move after formally stepping down as CEO of Amazon? A trip to space.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The founder of the retailing giant confirmed Monday he and his brother, Mark, will ride on the first human flight of New Shepard, a suborbital rocket system <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blueorigin.com/news/jeff-bezos-first-human-flight" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">developed by his aerospace company Blue Origin</a>.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">"Ever since I was five years old, I’ve dreamed of traveling to space," said Bezos in a video post on his personal Instagram account. "On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother."</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">July 20th will be the 52nd<strong> </strong><a target="_blank" href="/story/news/nation/2019/07/14/apollo-11-moon-landing-50th-anniversary-mission-employed-400-000/1730187001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">anniversary of the 1969 Apollo moon landing</a> by <a target="_blank" href="/story/sports/columnist/brennan/2019/07/18/apollo-11-moon-landing-neil-armstrong-charlie-mechem/1764647001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Neil Armstrong</a> and <a target="_blank" href="/story/news/nation/2019/07/16/apollo-11-buzz-aldrin-recalls-moon-landing-50th-anniversary-mission/1741932001/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Buzz Aldrin</a>.<strong> </strong></p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Here's what we know about Bezos' trip to space:</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2">What is New Shepard?</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Jeff and Mark Bezos will join the winner of an auction of a seat aboard the New Shepard to participate in the flight. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blueorigin.com/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwh_eFBhDZARIsALHjIKcJtTf2nRBtdohajzL50YzryXvUCF2fgq8j2RHWTAEZWCuvTX8PEtcaAlzGEALw_wcB" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">The current top bid is $2.8 million</a>.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Blue Origin is hosting an unsealed online bidding period until June 10. Two days later, a live auction will determine the winner.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Named after astronaut <a target="_blank" href="https://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/nasa-knows/who-was-alan-shepard-k4.html" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Alan Shepard</a>, the first American to go to space, New Shepard features a capsule housing up to six astronauts. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|inline click|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">A website detailing the rocket system</a> says the spaceflight will last 11 minutes.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">"To see the earth from space, it changes you, it changes your relationship with this planet, with humanity," said Bezos in a video announcing his upcoming trip.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Blue Origin says it has been flight-testing the rocket and its safety systems since 2012.</p><h2 class="gnt_ar_b_h2">Who is Mark Bezos?</h2><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Mark Bezos previously served as an advertising executive, having founded...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/2021/06/07/jeff-bezos-brother-going-space-blue-origins-first-human-flight/7581343002/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
