With space being the next great frontier, many big names have been throwing their hat in the ring to venture beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Space exploration has become the name of the game for several companies that strive to make humans a multi-planetary species. Mankind’s growing need for resources has seen an increased interest in galaxies far, far away, however, the vision of life on Mars will take plenty of money and research before it can be realized. While many people know of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, there is another contender that is making headlines for its’ out of this world exploration . Blue Origin, another privately owned space company, has made headlines over the last year for launching space missions with iconic crew members . On Monday, Apr. 14, they continued that trend by sending the first all-female crew (including celebrities like Gayle King and Katy Perry) on a mission. Here’s what we know about Blue Origin’s owner , history and latest ventures. Blue Origin Is Owned By...

As journalists, living within your stories is a treasure. For Gayle King, this journey will lead her into space. In 2021, King expressed excitement during an interview surrounding the launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket into space with Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Oliver Damon, and Wally Funk. Now, King will be front and center as Blue Origin—created by Bezos in 2000 to work towards a future that will permit millions to live and work in space with the overarching goal of sustaining work—prepares for its 11th flight under its New Shepard program, NS-31 mission, according to WJTV. This time, it will be with an all-woman team, which marks a first for Blue Origin. “I had to think really hard about this decision, and I consulted family, friends, doctors, and people who I know who have gone to space,” King said in an interview with Oprah Daily. Among her trusted confidants who gave their blessing was billionaire Oprah Winfrey , who advised, “If you don’t do it and see...

Ed Dwight has officially made history! On May 19, Blue Origin’s New Shepard NS-25 launched its first human flight in nearly two years, which Dwight was onboard for — making him the oldest person to go to space at age 90, according to ABC News. As previously reported by AFROTECH™, the former Air Force captain made history in 1961 after being selected by President John F. Kennedy as the first Black astronaut candidate in the U.S. But after completing the Aerospace Research Pilot School (ARPS) and receiving a recommendation from the U.S. Air Force to move forward, he wasn’t selected for the NASA Astronaut Corps — missing out on the opportunity to fly to space. However, now over 60 years later, Dwight has reached the monumental milestone. “You’ve waited a long time for this opportunity and all of us who stand on your shoulders could not be happier,” Charles Bolden, the first Black NASA administrator, told the outlet. As an astronaut, Bolden himself served on four missions to space. “I...

Over the years, Shaquille O’Neal has reigned as one of the most successful basketball stars turned entrepreneurs. As the business mogul has been consistently making moves, he found guidance along the way from one of the most well-known entrepreneurs.

Shaquille O’Neal may have had a change of heart. As AfroTech previously told you, Shaquille O’Neal backed down on his bid for the Phoenix Suns after realizing he would be in competition with Jeff Bezos. “I was open [to the idea of purchasing the team] until I saw the initials JB. Let me tell you something, you don’t mess with James Brown, you don’t mess with Jeff Bezos,” he said on The Big Podcast. “When the boys come on stage, get your ass and go. So, Jeff said he wants it and a couple of other heavy hitters said they want it. I’m not even gonna put my name in the bucket on this one. I’m not.”

In a recent move by MacKenzie Scott, the culture is one step closer to health equity and diversifying the health fields for people who look like us. According to ESSENCE, Scott donated $12 million to National Medical Fellowships (NMF), the organization helping to create health equity by providing scholarships for medical students who are Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). “NMF is deeply grateful that MacKenzie Scott has recognized the impactful work we have been doing for more than 75 years to advance health equity by providing scholarships to students underrepresented in medicine,” says NMF Board of Directors Chair and alumna Sandra B. Nichols, MD, FAAFP, MHCDS, MS. “This gift sends a message to these students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare. It tells them they are needed, welcomed, and will be supported as they work to attain their degrees so they may transform the health care system into one that serves all communities equally.”

Billionaire Robert F. Smith could be making history in the near future. According to Bleacher Report, the Denver Broncos could be up for sale in the NFL offseason. If indeed, the Broncos go up for sale, Smith has expressed an interest in bidding on the team. The Broncos are reportedly worth $3.75 billion. “If Denver is put up for sale, it will likely be through an auction because it is under the Patrick D. Bowlen Trust,” reports the outlet, who added that the sale of the team would benefit the seven Bowlen children. What’s more, the outlet confirms that as part of the deal with the trust, the beneficiaries of the trust would have to honor the highest bid for the team. “If the team is put up for sale, a legal source familiar with the Broncos’ ownership transition told 9News that it would likely be through auction because the team is under the Patrick D. Bowlen Trust umbrella,” Denver’s 9News reported. “This means the trustees would have a fiduciary responsibility to the trust’s...

TV host Michael Strahan is going from live on-air to live in space. On Nov. 23, Strahan announced on “Good Morning America” that he will be one of six passengers to board Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space flight that is scheduled for Dec. 9. Strahan shared with his co-hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos that he has been in total preparation for the human spaceflight launch by getting fitted for his flight suit, testing out his flight seat and will soon be on his way to Van Horn, TX for more training. “Blue Origin – they approached me and they asked if I wanted to be a crew member and without hesitation, I said ‘yes,'” Strahan said on “Good Morning America. “I wanted to go to space!” Strahan continued: “It’s going to take a while, but I do believe it will bring a lot of technological breakthroughs and also innovations to us here on earth…and I just wanted to be a part of it.” Variety reports that the upcoming launch will be the first time a Blue Origin flight has operated at a...