Jeff Bezos’ first move after formally stepping down as CEO of Amazon? A trip to space.
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 developed by his aerospace company Blue Origin.
“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.”
July 20th will be the 52nd anniversary of the 1969 Apollo moon landing by Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.
Here’s what we know about Bezos’ trip to space:
What is New Shepard?
Jeff and Mark Bezos will join the winner of an auction of a seat aboard the New Shepard to participate in the flight. The current top bid is $2.8 million.
Blue Origin is hosting an unsealed online bidding period until June 10. Two days later, a live auction will determine the winner.
Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to go to space, New Shepard features a capsule housing up to six astronauts. A website detailing the rocket system says the spaceflight will last 11 minutes.
“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.
Blue Origin says it has been flight-testing the rocket and its safety systems since 2012.
Who is Mark Bezos?
Mark Bezos previously served as an advertising executive, having founded…
