Get All Access for $5/mo

Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin Rocket Crashes Just Over 1 Minute After Launch The same New Shepard design has carried several celebrities, including Bezos, to the edge of space.

By Amanda Breen Edited by Jessica Thomas

Space tourism has been getting a lot of attention lately, but a recent mishap was a reminder of what can go wrong.

On Monday, Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin launched an uncrewed New Shepard rocket that experienced a booster failure, per the aerospace company, triggering an emergency landing for its capsule carrying three dozen experiments.

Related: William Shatner Moved to Tears After Trip to Space: 'I Hope I Never Recover From This'

There were no people aboard the flight, which departed from Blue Origin's launch site in West Texas. But several celebrities, including William Shatner, Michael Strahan and Bezos himself have journeyed to the edge of space on New Shepard vehicles of the same design, The New York Times reported.

The incident occurred one minute and four seconds after takeoff, at the point where the vehicle experiences "forces of maximum atmospheric pressure." A yellow flame burst from the booster's engine, and as the booster pitched, the emergency escape system sent the capsule to safety.

The rocket reached 37,000 feet, or approximately seven miles — well below the 60-plus miles typically reached.

Related: What Will It Be Like to Fly in a Blue Origin Spaceship?

The Federal Aviation Administration said it would investigate, grounding Blue Origin flights until it concludes "whether any system, process or procedure related to the mishap affected public safety."

Amanda Breen

Entrepreneur Staff

Senior Features Writer

Amanda Breen is a senior features writer at Entrepreneur.com. She is a graduate of Barnard College and received an MFA in writing at Columbia University, where she was a news fellow for the School of the Arts.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Editor's Pick

Science & Technology

5 Rule-Bending AI Hacks to Make Your Mornings More Productive and Profitable

By 2025, AI will transform productivity by streamlining workflows and cutting costs. Major companies like Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are leading the way, advancing AI into "Phase 3," where tools act as digital assistants. Discover 5 AI hacks to boost efficiency and redefine your daily routine.

Side Hustle

'Hustling Every Day': These Friends Started a Side Hustle With $2,500 Each — It 'Snowballed' to Over $500,000 and Became a Multimillion-Dollar Brand

Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins had a 2020 brainstorm session that led to a lucrative business.

Marketing

5 Critical Mistakes to Avoid When Giving a Presentation

Are you tired of enduring dull presentations? Over the years, I have compiled a list of common presentation mistakes and how to avoid them. Here are my top five tips.

Business News

Former Steve Jobs Intern Says This Is How He Would Have Approached AI

The former intern is now the CEO of AI and data company DataStax.

Business Process

How CEOs Can Take Control of Their Emails and Achieve Inbox Zero

Although there are many methodologies that leaders can use to manage their emails effectively, a consistent and thought-through process is the most effective way to systemize and respond to emails and is a step of stewardship for the effective leader.