WINTER PARK, Fla. – Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space tourism company launched a rocket in Texas on Thursday with a crew that includes a Central Florida couple.
The NS-20 flight, originally set to launch on Tuesday, blasted off from Launch Site One in west Texas.
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Winter Park real estate developer Marc Hagle and his wife, Sharon, were a part of the fourth human flight for the New Shepard program, according to Blue Origin’s website.
[WATCH: Recap of launch, landing in video player below]
“This is going to be a fantastic 26th wedding anniversary,” Sharon Hagle said after her and her husband’s launch was announced. “To have your partner go with you is beyond the moon.”
[LAUNCH AND LANDING: Watch rocket launch in video player above. Watch landing in video player below.]
Marc Hagle is the president and CEO of Tricor International, a residential and commercial property development corporation based in Winter Park. According to a news release, Tricor International has developed or owns shopping centers, warehouses, medical facilities, recreational facilities, drug stores, and office projects across the U.S.
Sharon Hagle founded the nonprofit SpaceKids Global, aimed at inspiring kids to excel in STEAM education.
The couple were joined by Marty Allen, Jim Kitchen, Dr. George Nield and Blue Origin’s Gary Lai, the New Shepard chief architect, replacing “Saturday Night Live” star Pete Davidson, who was originally meant to accompany the other crew members.
Blue Origin announced that Davidson would no longer join the crew on March 17 and subsequently shifted the launch date to Tuesday. Since then, the launch was moved to Thursday.
Florida’s Fourth Estate recently spoke with a woman looking to change the face of space tourism. Listen to the episode in the media player below: