Space travel for everyone? Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin & SERA likely to make it possible; check details

Space travel has always been seen as expensive, risky, and exclusive. Ever since Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space 63 years ago, fewer than 700 astronauts have reached space, mostly from just three countries. Even commercial space flights have been accessible only to a wealthy few. But this is changing. The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) has partnered with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to create a spaceflight program for citizens of all nations. This initiative aims to make space travel accessible to ordinary people.

Space Travel for All

Historically, space travel has been the domain of a select few, but SERA and Blue Origin aim to change this. According to the TOI report, SERA, co-founded by Sam Hutchison and Joshua Skurla, plans to cover the costs of these space flights. The partnership with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, known for its space flight innovations, is a significant step toward democratizing space travel.

First Steps Towards Inclusion

Blue Origin | Photo: Reuters

In June 2022, SERA made headlines by sending Victor Hespanha, a 28-year-old civil engineer from Brazil, to space on Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket (NS-21). This mission, which was a success, marked the beginning of a new era. SERA purchased a seat from Blue Origin for Hespanha, and this achievement has paved the way for a broader partnership with Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin, focusing on a new human spaceflight program.

A Global Mission

SERA’s vision is truly global. They have already reserved six seats on an upcoming Blue Origin New Shepard launch. Skurla highlighters that New Shepard is an excellent tool for introducing space travel to those who previously saw it as an unattainable dream. The next mission could include an astronaut from India, a country with significant space activity and infrastructure, as reported in TOI.

India’s Potential Role

Space astronaut | Photo: BCCL/Representational image

Skurla and Hutchison see great potential in partnering with India. They believe India could take a leadership role in this new era of space exploration. Hutchison highlights that over 150 countries have never had an astronaut, and SERA aims to change this by enabling the Indian community and others to vote for their astronauts.

Democratizing Space Travel

The first phase of this initiative involves selecting citizen astronauts through community voting. Five seats on the New Shepard rocket will be given to partner nations that have either never had an astronaut or had very few. The sixth seat will be open to individuals from any nation. This approach allows communities to participate actively in space missions.

Beyond Space Flights

SERA’s ambitions extend beyond just sending civilians to space. Their long-term goal is to provide a platform for global collaboration in space research, technology development, and the creation of new space startups. SERA plans to offer program management tools, risk assessment, and budgeting resources traditionally used by large aerospace organizations. This initiative aims to foster global collaboration on space missions, with SERA covering the initial costs.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin and SERA are pioneering a new era of space exploration. By making space travel accessible to ordinary people, they are breaking down the barriers that have long limited who can explore the final frontier. With initiatives like these, the dream of space flight is no longer just for billionaires but for ordinary people as well.