She asked me, “Do you think I could be an astronaut?” At first, I wasn’t sure. But then I realized she was talking about Blue Origin’s New Shepard. So, I reached out to Audrey Powers, a Blue Origin engineer. She was excited about the project, which sparked my own interest.
My thoughts went straight to flying into space. I’ve always seen myself as someone who takes risks, and this idea seemed possible. I talked to various experts in the field—people from both SpaceX and Blue Origin. Not one person told me I shouldn’t pursue it. In fact, they all asked, “Why not?” That encouraged me to take the next step.
When I considered flying myself, I had mixed feelings. Safety was a big concern, especially since I worked at SpaceX for 20 years and was now looking at Blue Origin. I knew what SpaceX did for safety, but I didn’t know much about Blue Origin’s protocols. I spoke to a few colleagues who used to work there, and they reassured me. They’d fly on New Shepard without hesitation.
Ultimately, the crucial question for me was whether I would trust the experience enough to let my own kids fly on the rocket. After getting answers to many technical questions, I felt increasingly confident in their safety measures.
Space travel is evolving rapidly, and many people are excited about the possibilities. According to a recent survey by the Space Foundation, interest in commercial space travel has surged by 31% in just the past year. This growing enthusiasm highlights a shift in how society views space exploration—not just as a government endeavor, but as a venture open to everyday people.
Social media trends also reflect this interest. Hashtags like #SpaceTourism and #ToInfinityAndBeyond are buzzing with positive user reactions. People are eager to share their dreams of traveling to space.
The landscape of space travel today is not the same as it was decades ago. Back in the 1960s, astronaut missions were limited to a select few trained by governments. Now, technology and initiatives from private companies are paving the way for more people to experience space firsthand. Companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX are making strides that could allow those who never imagined it—to potentially fly into space.
As we watch this new phase of exploration unfold, the excitement of ordinary people becoming astronauts will continue to grow. It’s an exhilarating time to be part of this journey into the cosmos.
