Why stop with asking for an invitation for an Amazon Echo, or a reservation for the new Tesla Powerwall, when you can get in line for space?
Blue Origin, the space venture backed by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has launched a new webpage letting anyone, as Bezos writes, get “early notification when we’re ready to accept flight reservations.”
“INTERESTED IN RESERVING A WINDOW SEAT?” blares the Blue Origin page.
“By providing your information here, you’ll receive early access to pricing information and tickets when we open reservations. Our New Shepard space vehicle will carry a new generation of explorers and adventurers – we’re looking forward to flying with you!”
Of course, getting notification of when reservations open and actually making a reservation are two different things. But Blue Origin hopes to boost interest by also requesting those signing up to, “tell us why you want to go to space. We may share your inspirational responses with the world.” There’s also an option to request tickets for a “full capsule” of six travelers.
Those who fill out the notification form receive a cheerful, “Gradatim ferociter!” (Translated from the Latin as, “by degrees, ferociously” or “step-by-step, courageously,” and Blue Origin’s motto.)
Earlier this week, the New Shepard made its first developmental test flight from West Texas with Bezos on hand. The Kent-Wash.-based Blue Origin is in hot competition with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which last fall had its Dragon spacecraft chosen by NASA to fly astronauts to the International Space Station. Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic already takes actual reservations — with a refundable deposit and a $250,000 ticket price.
