Blue Origin has announced a new launch date for its next crew mission. The NS-37 mission is now targeted for liftoff no earlier than December 20 when the launch window opens at 7:30 pm IST [8 am CST]. The announcement comes a day after the launch was scrubbed on December 19 due an anomaly.
NS-37 Update: Launch is no earlier than Saturday, December 20. Our window opens at 8:00 AM CST / 14:00 UTC. The live webcast will begin 20 minutes prior to launch. Mission updates: https://t.co/6A07VXReh6
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) December 18, 2025
“We are standing down from today’s NS-37 mission after the launch team observed an issue with our built-in checks prior to the flight. We are assessing our next opportunity for launch,” Blue Origin stated yesterday.
The countdown was terminated at T minus 59 seconds while the six space tourists were seated inside the New Shepard capsule. As for tomorrow, the NS-37 launch will be live streamed on the company’s website starting 20 minutes prior to liftoff.
Blue Origin’s crew missions usually have six members who board the New Shepard capsule that is launched atop the New Shepard booster. The booster lands after launching the spacecraft, which crosses the Karman Line – internationally recognised boundary of space – 100 kilometres above surface. The tourists get to experience 2-3 minutes of weightlessness in microgravity and the entire flight lasts 10-11 minutes.
Meet The NS-37 mission crew
The NS-37 crew includes five men and one woman, who is set to be the first wheelchair user to visit space. Michaela Benthaus or Michi is an aerospace engineer who lost her ability to walk after a mountain biking accident in 2018. Since overcoming her spinal cord injury, she has participated in a Zero-G research flight in 2022 and has taken up sporting activities like wheelchair tennis.
Michaela (Michi) Benthaus will become the first wheelchair user to cross the Kármán line. Her story, advocacy, and passion are evident in everything she does. pic.twitter.com/LteGwxXFY8
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) December 18, 2025
She is sharing the New Shepard spacecraft with Joey Hyde – a Florida-based physicist, Hans Koenigsmann – a rocket scientist and former SpaceX employee, Neal Milch – a global business executive and entrepreneur, Adonis Pouroulis – an entrepreneur, investor and mining engineer, and Jason Stansell – a computer scientist.
Blue Origin has launched six crew missions in 2025, and NS-37 will mark the seventh and final flight of this year. It will also be the 16th overall astronaut mission and the 37th total New Shepard flights to date.
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