Jeff Bezos says he didn't know Blue Origin met with Trump as he tries to calm Washington Post storm
Bezos' Blue Origin has a $3.4 billion contract to build spacecraft and is competing with Elon Musk’s SpaceX
Jeff Bezos says there is “no connection” between the Washington Post’s decision not to endorse a presidential candidate and his space company’s meeting with former President Donald Trump.
Bezos — who founded Amazon and Blue Origin and owns the Post — published an editorial Monday night about the Post’s decision in an effort to halt the flood of subscribers canceling their plans. As of Monday afternoon, more than 200,000 subscribers had canceled their subscriptions to the Post, accounting for about 8% of the paper’s paid circulation, NPR reports.
Besides the general controversy over a newspaper of record declining to endorse a candidate for the first time in almost four decades, subscribers and online commentators alike were angered by Bezos’ reported involvement in the decision. More than that, there was the appearance of a tit-for-tat deal, with reports noting that Blue Origin had met with the former president the day that the publication said it would not make an endorsement.
“I would also like to be clear that no quid pro quo of any kind is at work here,” Bezos wrote, adding that the decision was made entirely internally. “Neither campaign nor candidate was consulted or informed at any level or in any way about this decision.”
The third-richest man alive said that he sighed when he “found out” that Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp had met with Trump, writing that neither he nor Limp had known about the meeting ahead of time. According to Bezos, it was planned “quickly that morning.” Trump also met with Megan Mitchell, Blue Origin’s vice president of government relations, the Associated Press reported.
Early Years (2000-2003)
Blue Origin was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon. At the time, Bezos was looking for a new challenge and was interested in space exploration. He had been fascinated by space since his childhood and had even considered starting a space company before starting Amazon.
Initially, the company was called New Shepard Aerospace and was focused on developing a suborbital spaceplane. The goal was to create a reusable launch system that could carry people to space and back. Bezos was inspired by the concept of space tourism and wanted to create a vehicle that could take people to the edge of space and back.
Bezos assembled a team of experienced engineers and scientists, including Mark Bezos, his brother, and BOB Smith, a former NASA engineer. The team worked tirelessly to develop the New Shepard spaceplane, which was designed to be reusable and efficient.
Name Change and Focus Shift (2003-2006)
In 2003, Bezos changed the company's name to Blue Origin, which is a reference to the origins of life on Earth. The company shifted its focus from suborbital spaceflight to orbital spaceflight, with a goal of establishing a human settlement on Mars.
Blue Origin began to invest in research and development of new technologies, including advanced propulsion systems, life support systems, and habitat design. The company also established a number of research and development centers around the world, including in the United States, Germany, and Canada.
New Shepard Development (2006-2011)
In 2006, Blue Origin began to develop the New Shepard spaceplane in earnest. The company invested heavily in the development of the vehicle, which included the creation of a large launch pad and test facility.
New Shepard was designed to be a reusable launch system, with the ability to carry up to six people to the edge of space and back. The vehicle was powered by a liquid oxygen and methane fuel combination, which provided a high specific impulse and efficient propulsion.
Bezos was highly involved in the development of New Shepard, often flying on the vehicle himself. He took the first test flight in 2015, along with his brother Mark and another investor, Evan Leybourn.
Suborbital Flight Tests (2015-2019)
In 2015, Blue Origin began conducting suborbital flight tests of New Shepard. The company launched several test flights, including the first successful launch and re-entry of the vehicle.
On July 3, 2015, New Shepard flew to an altitude of 106.9 km (342,000 ft), marking the first successful test of the vehicle's propulsion system. The test was followed by several more flights, each one pushing the boundaries of the vehicle's performance.
In 2018, Blue Origin conducted a series of test flights that pushed the limits of the vehicle's performance. The company flew New Shepard to an altitude of 106.9 km (342,000 ft) and demonstrated the vehicle's ability to handle extreme g-forces.
Orbital Flight Tests (2019)
In 2019, Blue Origin announced plans to develop a new vehicle, New Glenn, which would be designed to take people to orbit. The company began conducting orbital flight tests of New Glenn in 2020.
On July 20, 2021, New Glenn flew to an altitude of 108.2 km (356,000 ft), marking the first successful orbital test of the vehicle. The test was followed by several more flights, each one demonstrating the vehicle's performance and capabilities.
Commercial Launch Services (2021)
In May 2021, Blue Origin announced that it would begin offering commercial launch services using its New Glenn vehicle. The company plans to offer launches to a variety of customers, including government agencies and private companies.
Bezos has stated that his goal for Blue Origin is to make humanity a multi-planetary species, with a long-term vision of establishing a permanent human settlement on Mars. He believes that space exploration and development will be critical to the long-term survival of humanity.
Bezos' Role and Vision
Throughout the development of Blue Origin, Bezos has been highly involved in the company's operations and has played a significant role in shaping its vision. Bezos has stated that his goal for Blue Origin is to make humanity a multi-planetary species, with a long-term vision of establishing a permanent human settlement on Mars.
Bezos has also emphasized the importance of making space exploration and development accessible to a wide range of people and organizations. He believes that space will play a critical role in the future of humanity and that it is essential that we make progress in space exploration and development as quickly as possible.
Funding and Investments
Blue Origin has received significant funding and investments from a variety of sources, including Amazon, Bezos' personal wealth, and other investors. The company has also received investments from government agencies and private companies.
In 2020, Blue Origin raised $1 billion in funding from investors, including Amazon, Bezos' personal wealth, and other investors. The funding round was one of the largest in the history of the space industry and marked a major milestone in the company's development.
Controversies and Challenges
Blue Origin has faced several challenges and controversies over the years, including concerns about the company's environmental impact, worker safety, and the potential risks of space travel.
In 2019, Blue Origin faced criticism for its treatment of workers at its manufacturing facility in West Texas. The company was accused of poor working conditions and low wages, leading to calls for improved working conditions and better compensation for workers.
Blue Origin has also faced concerns about the environmental impact of its operations, including the potential for pollution and habitat destruction. The company has responded by implementing a number of sustainability initiatives, including the use of renewable energy sources and waste reduction programs.
Despite these challenges, Blue Origin remains committed to its mission and continues to make significant progress in the development of its space technology.