Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin on Tuesday announced the crew of its Dec. 9 launch, which will carry “Good Morning America” co-anchor and former New York Giant Michael Strahan as well as five others past the atmosphere.
Strahan and Laura Shepard Churchley, the eldest daughter of Alan Shepard, who was the first American to fly to space, are both invited guests on the flight, Blue Origin said in a statement.
Four others are paying for their seats, though Blue Origin did not disclose how much they paid.
The four customers include venture capitalist Lane Bess and his son, Cameron, as well as deep-pocketed investor Evan Dick. Angel investor and CEO of Voyager Space, Dylan Taylor, is also paying for a seat on the flight.
“Lane and Cameron Bess will become the first parent-child pair to fly in space,” Blue Origin said in a release.
It’s the first time Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket will carry six astronauts to space, operating at full capacity.
It’s the rocket’s third crewed flight to space this year.
In July, the rocket’s first crewed flight to space carried founder Jeff Bezos to space — making the Amazon founder the world’s wealthiest astronaut, even as he lost his title as world’s wealthiest man to Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
Bezos was joined by his brother Mark and Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old recent high school graduate from the Netherlands, as well as 82-year-old space pioneer Wally Funk — who made history becoming the oldest woman to ever soar into space.
Last month, Blue Origin launched another set of passengers, including William Shatner, who famously played Captain Kirk in the original “Star Trek” TV series, into space.
Blue Origin’s flights last about 10 minutes as they soar just beyond an altitude of 66 miles.
Despite Blue Origin’s recent high-profile launches, the company has been mired in controversy ever since a group of 21 former and current employees accused the company of fostering a “toxic” and sexist work environment that’s even pushed some employees into having suicidal thoughts.
Notably, one of the few named former employees from that group, Alexandra Abrams, appeared on “Good Morning America” rival “CBS Mornings” for her first interview about the allegations.
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