Blue Origin and Soyuz Tie the Record for Most People in Space at 19

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
11/09/2024 21h28

In a thrilling race to set records in human spaceflight, both Blue Origin and the Soyuz spacecraft have tied the commendable title of "Most People in Space" at 19 occupants. This exciting feat was achieved by Blue Origin's suborbital New Shepard vehicle on December 11, 2021, and most recently, the Soyuz launch.

Previously, the record for the most individuals in space overall was set at 20 in May 2023, and was later tied on January 26 of this year. On both occasions, 14 experienced spaceflyers were joined for a brief moment by six space tourists aboard Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity space plane, as they entered the suborbital realm.

It is worth noting that the VSS Unity space plane reaches an altitude of over 50 miles (80 kilometers) above Earth, which is recognized by NASA and the U.S. military as the starting point of outer space. However, it falls short of the Kármán line, which is considered the official boundary of space, situated at an altitude of 62 miles (100 km).

Devotees of the Kármán line have their own interpretation of the "most people in space" record, recognizing the NS-19 flight of Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle on December 11, 2021, and now, the historic Soyuz launch, both tied at 19 occupants.

The competition and achievements in human spaceflight continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Join our Space Forums to stay updated on the latest missions, night sky observations, and more! If you have any news tips, corrections, or comments, we encourage you to share them with us at community@space.com.

Human space exploration is undoubtedly at the forefront of scientific and technological advancement, constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As space endeavors progress, it will be fascinating to witness even greater accomplishments in our quest to explore and understand the cosmos.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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