Michael Strahan Going to Space on Blue Origin’s Next Flight

When Michael Strahan made a special announcement on Good Morning America on Tuesday, November 23, his co-anchors, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos seemed to be spellbound. Michael secretly began preparing over two weeks ago for a trip to space on Blue Origin New Shepard's next flight.

At first, this writer thought it was a prank similar to the one Michael had pulled earlier this year about closing the gap between his front teeth. However, this is no prank.

Michael showed footage of him being measured and fitted so his 6’5” body will be comfortable in a Blue Origin flight suit. Viewers were able to see how he will fit into his seat that Michael says is comfortable.

Liftoff is scheduled for December 9, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. CT from Blue Origin’s facility near Van Horn, Texas. Good Morning America will televise the liftoff and report on the entire story. Strahan reported on the last flights, but this time he will be part of the story with someone reporting about him.

Flight Crew Members

Michael will be joined by five others on Blue Origin's third human flight this year. Those on the trip include the following:

1. Michael Strahan, 50, honorary guest not paying
2. Laura Shepard Churchley, 74, the oldest daughter of the first American astronaut, honorary guest not paying
3. Dylan Taylor, 51, philanthropist, and paying traveler
4. Evan Dick, investor, and paying traveler
5. Lane Bess, Lane Ventures founder, paying traveler
6. Cameron Bess, Lane Bess' adult son, paying traveler

As you can see, Strahan and Churchley are going as honorary guests. Strahan will be paid a stipend that will be donated to the Boys & Girls Clubs of America. The four other guests paid an undisclosed amount, but the rates are assumed to be upwards of $500,000 for a ticket.

Travelers' Reactions

Michael Strahan says his upcoming space trip is a dream come true. He became fascinated with space travel after reporting on Jeff Bezos‘ Blue Origin previous trips. He said when he was asked to go on this one, he didn't hesitate because he thought the trip was too good to pass up. He added that he wants to be part of new technological breakthroughs and innovations that are now available.

Laura Shepard Churchley says she is very proud to be part of her father’s legacy, noting that he was the first American in space and the fifth man on the moon, and the only one to play golf while he was there. The fully autonomous New Shepard is named after Alan Shepard who became the first American into space in 1961.

Dylan Taylor wrote in his blog that when he was a young boy he never imagined that someone like him would be able to go to space. He tweeted that it hardly seems real.

Cameron Bess said in a YouTube video that his upcoming space trip feels really weird to him. However, it is a huge opportunity for him to advocate for many of the things that he cares about.

How This Trip Will Be Different

This upcoming trip will be the third Blue Origin's flight carrying a crew to the edge of space in the last seven months. It will be the first flight with a full spacecraft of six crew members.

The first trip on July 20 included only four people who went on the 11-minute flight.

1. Jeff Bezos. founder of Amazon
2. Jeff's brother Mark Bezos
3. Wally Funk, 82-year-old female pilot and the oldest to ever go to space at that time
4. Oliver Daemon, an 18-year-old physics student and the youngest to go to space.

The second trip was on October 13, and it also included just four people.

1. 90-year-old Star Trek actor William Shatner, the oldest to go to space in real life even though he played going many times
2. Blue Origin's executive Audrey Powers
3. DCVC partner Chris Boshuizen
4. Medidata co-founder Glen de Vries, who tragically died in an airplane accident just weeks after returning from space

Timeline of the Upcoming Trip

Crew members will go to Blue Origin’s West Texas launch complex a few days before the actual flight. After boarding the New Shepard spacecraft at 9 a.m. on December 9, all six crew members will strap themselves securely in the New Shepard capsule in their own seats for the flight that will last just 10 minutes from takeoff to landing.

The spacecraft will go about 62 miles. The travelers will have a panoramic view of the earth from space. When the spacecraft starts back down, Strahan and the others will experience three to four minutes of weightlessness.

Sources

Blue Origin to Fly Six Suborbital Space Travelers

Astronaut Alan Shepard's Daughter and Michael Strahan Going on Space Flight