Blast Off: Kiwi Entrepreneur Makes History in Outer Space
Christchurch-based entrepreneur, Mark Rocket, becomes the first New Zealander in space, flying aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard.
In a spectacular milestone for New Zealand, Christchurch entrepreneur Mark Rocket soared into the annals of history, becoming the first ever Kiwi to venture into space. The exciting journey took place aboard the 12th crewed flight of Blue Origin’s New Shepard programme, a mission capably propelled by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ ambitions in space tourism.
A Leap Beyond the Sky
Describing the suborbital flight as “incredibly intense” and “amazing,” Rocket shared his awe with The Press. His eyes twinkled with excitement, recounting the moment he and five crewmates left Earth behind, the New Zealand flag fluttering proudly at 105 kilometers above the surface, where Earthly constraints abandoned them in zero gravity for 11 memorable minutes.
The Journey of Exhilaration
Rocket detailed the electric journey, the steady anticipation building after lift-off. A rocket’s journey is no smooth ride; at 3400km/h, acceleration becomes nothing short of “incredible,” leaving the ordinary far behind. As the main engine cut-off signaled their ascent into the weightless black, the crew’s spirits soared higher amid the cosmos.
Moments of Sky-borne Magic
Among the highlights, Rocket delighted in the taste of true spaceflight; flipping in mid-air, embracing the darkness of space with childish wonder. “It was a totally immersive, full-on, thrilling experience,” he recounted. As the mysteries of space embraced them, the crew oscillated between weightlessness and the pull of Earth at 5Gs in a dance only a few have ever experienced.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard, a feather in Amazon’s cap, continues to invite intrepid travelers seeking that sublime view from above, where Earth becomes a distant realm.
The bold venture of Mark Rocket paves the way for other New Zealanders to dream beyond horizons, as one man’s spacewalk echoes a call to elevate aspirations skyward. According to Otago Daily Times, Rocket’s trailblazing voyage is a testament to human curiosity and the untapped potential of space tourism.
Rocket’s spirit is a beacon of inspiration, proving that even from a small island nation, one can reach the stars.
-APL