Jeff Bezos and his fellow passengers have successfully ventured to the edge of space and back.
The Amazon and Blue Origin founder flew on the space exploration company's first human spaceflight on Tuesday, blasting off shortly after 9 a.m. ET.
The crew, which included Bezos' brother, Mark, 82-year-old pilot Wally Funk, and Dutch teen Oliver Daemen, flew just above the border between Earth and space and experienced weightlessness for about three minutes before safely touching back down in the West Texas desert.
As the capsule floated back toward Earth with an assist from three parachutes, Bezos informed Blue Origin mission control that everyone was safe and sound — and elated.
"You have a very happy crew up here," Bezos said, adding a few minutes later: "Best day ever. That was incredible."
When asked how he was doing, Mark Bezos responded: "I am unbelievably good."
Upon landing, the crew disembarked and was greeted by a swarm of family and friends, including the Bezos brothers' parents, Jackie and Mike; Jeff Bezos' girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez; his son, Preston; and Blue Origin employees. After many excited hugs and high fives, the crew celebrated with — what else — champagne showers.
