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U.S. Program to Fly Citizens From India, Nigeria, Island Nations to Space

The Scientific Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) has reserved all six seats on an upcoming flight of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket.

Jack Daleo

Monday, July 01, 2024 at 01:30 PM ET

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Edited By: tccjeremy

Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket lifts off during the NS-25 astronaut mission on May 19. [Courtesy: Blue Origin]

Key Takeaways:

The Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA) is partnering with Blue Origin to fly citizens from India, Nigeria, and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to the edge of space, aiming to democratize space exploration beyond traditional spacefaring nations.
Applicants from partner nations can secure a slot for just $2.50, and the final citizen astronauts and their in-flight experiments will be selected through a public voting process.
This initiative seeks to broaden global participation in space, with flights scheduled to occur after the third quarter of 2024, following three days of training.

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The U.S.-based Space Exploration and Research Agency (SERA), which describes itself as a “space agency for everyone,” will fly citizens from India, Nigeria, and the small island developing states (SIDS) to the edge of the atmosphere in partnership with Blue Origin, the space tourism venture of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Each nation is allotted one seat on an upcoming Blue Origin flight, and applicants can secure a slot for just $2.50.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.