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  1. Home
  2. News
  3. Spaceflight

In photos: Michael Strahan's launch into space on Blue Origin's New Shepard

By Elizabeth Howell
published 25 January 2022

See the 'Good Morning America' host and former football star touch down after a spaceflight.

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Liftoff of NS-19 on Dec. 11, 2021.
(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Blue Origin's third crewed spaceflight brought a full complement of people into space on New Shepard for the first time, starring "Good Morning America" host Michael Strahan. On Dec. 11, 2021, a 10-minute flight successfully launched and landed from Blue Origin's facilities near Van Horn, Texas with Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, Dylan Taylor, parent-child team Lane and Cameron Bess and Evan Dick. Watch their epic mission in pictures.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 crew. From left are Dylan Taylor, Lane Bess, Cameron Bess, Laura Shepard Churchley, Michael Strahan and Evan Dick.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

'Good Morning America' host Michael Strahan.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of NASA astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to fly to space in 1961.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Dylan Taylor, the founder of Space for Humanity.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Evan Dick, an engineer and investor who is a volunteer pilot for Starfighters Aerospace.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Lane Bess, principal and founder of a technology-focused venture fund called Bess Ventures and Advisory.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Cameron Bess, who is a child of Lane. The two stream variety content on Twitch together under the alias MeepsKitten.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Michael Strahan pointing during training for the NS-19 flight.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 crew during astronaut training.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 crew during astronaut training. From left: Laura Shepard Churchley, Lane Bess, Cameron Bess.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Evan Dick (left) and Cameron Bess in a Blue Origin capsule during training.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Laura Shepard Churchley (left) and Evan Dick enter the Blue Origin training center.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 crew banters during training. From left: Lane Bess, Michael Strahan and Evan Dick.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

In foreground: Laura Shepard Churchley (left) examines a Blue Origin rocket during training, alongside CapCom Sarah Knights.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Michael Strahan (in foreground) and the rest of the NS-19 crew during launch gantry training.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 crew in a Blue Origin facility, prior to launch, looking at the company's coat of arms.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 crew during training. From left (in blue flight suits): Laura Shepard Churchley, Michael STrahan, Evan Dick, Lane Bess, Cameron Bess, Dylan Taylor.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The first parent-child team to fly into space during the same flight: Lane Bess (center) and Cameron Bess (right).

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Michael Strahan on the launch gantry prior to the launch of NS-19.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

A pendant that Laura Shepard Churchley flew into space. The hand says LLAP for Live Long and Prosper, the tagline of 'Star Trek' star Leonard Nimoy. The pendant was flown on behalf of the Nimoy family.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

NS-19 clears the tower after launch.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The Blue Origin crew at apogee, clutching footballs in honor of Michael Strahan (second from left). Visible is Evan Dick (left), Laura Shepard Churchley (right from Strahan), Dylan Taylor, Cameron Bess and Lane Bess.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

NS-19 crew members gaze out the windows during apogee.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 booster comes in for a landing at Blue Origin's flight facilities in Van Horn, Texas.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 capsule comes in for a landing, under three parachutes.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 capsule touches down safely near Van Horn, Texas.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

The NS-19 capsule ready for the crew to egress.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Michael Strahan (left) descends from the capsule to greet Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Laura Shepard Churchley (right) during a post-landing hug.

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(Image credit: Blue Origin)

Laura Shepard Churchley (left) receives astronaut wings from Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.

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(Image credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Laura Shepard Churchley (left) and Michael Strahan embrace after landing.

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Elizabeth Howell
Elizabeth Howell
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Staff Writer, Spaceflight

Elizabeth Howell, Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022. She was contributing writer for Space.com (opens in new tab) for 10 years before that, since 2012. Elizabeth's reporting includes an exclusive with Office of the Vice-President of the United States, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, "Why Am I Taller?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and (soon) a Bachelor of History from Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science since 2015. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace

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