Star Trek actor James T. Kirk and three other passengers flew to 66.5 miles (107 km) above the West Texas desert in the fully-automated capsule. They then safely returned to Earth in just over 10 minutes.
After climbing out of the hatch, Shatner exclaimed to Bezos, "What you have given us is the most profound experience." His words poured from him in a soliloquy that lasted almost as long as his flight. "I wish I never recover from it. I wish I could keep what I feel right now. It's something I don’t want to lose."
He stated that the transition from the blue sky into the blackness of space was an intense experience.
Shatner was the oldest person to reach space. He surpassed the previous record of eight years set in July by a passenger aboard a Bezos spaceship. It took three minutes to lose weight and provided a view of Earth's curvature.
Sci-fi fans enjoyed the chance to see the man most well-known as the commander of Enterprise, boldly go places no American TV star has ever gone before.
"This is a pinch me moment for us all to see Capt. Blue Origin launch commentator JackiCortese stated that James Tiberius Kirk was going to space before liftoff. She stated that she was attracted to space by "Star Trek" shows, just like many others.
NASA tweeted best wishes to the pilot ahead of the flight: "You are, always will be, our friend."
Bezos' space tourism business was able to benefit from the star power of this flight, which attracted a lot of celebrity watchers, baby boomers and space enthusiasts. From 1966 to 1969, Shatner was a star in TV's original Star Trek. He then went on to appear in several "Star Trek” movies.
Bezos is an avid "Star Trek” fan. The Amazon founder made a cameo appearance as an alien in one the later "Star Trek movies. Shatner was invited to ride free.
Bezos's favor, Shatner took into space some Star Trek tricorders (or communicators) that he had made as a 9-year old Trekkie. Bezos claimed that his mother had kept them for 48 years.
Bezos drove the crew members to the launch platform, and then accompanied them up to the platform high above ground. After they had climbed on the 60-foot rocket, he closed the hatch. Bezos was present to greet them as the capsule returned to Earth, thanks to its brilliant blue-and red parachutes.
"Hello, astronauts. As he opened the hatch to the New Shepard capsule named after Alan Shepard, a happy Bezos exclaimed, "Welcome to Earth!"
Shatner stated that he was struck at the fragility of Earth and its relative lack of atmosphere.
This is something that everyone in the world should do. He said that everyone in the world must see. To see the blue color swirl by, and then you're staring at blackness, that's what it is. We say that the blue blanket, this sheath and this blanket are blue skies. But then you suddenly see blackness.
According to the actor, the shock of returning to Earth was greater than his training had led him to believe and caused him to wonder if he would make it back alive.
He said, "Everything's much more powerful." "Bang, this thing strikes. It was nothing like the simulator. Are I going to be able survive the G-forces?" Are I going to be able survive it?"
As the capsule descends, passengers are exposed to almost 6 G's or six times Earth's gravity force. Blue Origin stated that Shatner and all of the crew fulfilled all medical and physical requirements. They were also able to climb and descend several flights of stairs at the launch tower.
Joseph Barra, a bartender who served as a caterer at the launch celebrations, said that Shatner's entry into space was "the most badass things I think I have ever seen." "William Shatner sets the standard for what a 90 year-old man can accomplish."
Space tourism is finally taking off. Passenger will enjoy a joyride aboard spacecraft built and operated in part by the wealthiest men in the world.
Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson was the first to fly into space, flying in his rocket ship in July. Bezos followed nine days later in Blue Origin's first flight as a crew. SpaceX's Elon Musk made its first private flight in September, but without Musk.
The Russians sent last week an actor and a director of film to the International Space Station in support of a movie-making endeavor.
Blue Origin stated that it will add one passenger flight to its fleet this year, and many more in 2022. The company stated that its goal is "democratize space" and sounds like Captain Kirk.
Audrey Powers, Blue Origin vice president, was Shatner's passenger. Powers was also a former space station flight controller at NASA. Powers was joined by two paying customers, Chris Boshuizen (a former NASA engineer) and Glen de Vries (a 3D software company). Blue Origin wouldn't disclose the cost of their tickets.
This flight brought 597 people to space.
