TV host Michael Strahan is going from live on-air to live in space.
On Nov. 23, Strahan announced on “Good Morning America” that he will be one of six passengers to board Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space flight that is scheduled for Dec. 9.
Strahan shared with his co-hosts Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos that he has been in total preparation for the human spaceflight launch by getting fitted for his flight suit, testing out his flight seat and will soon be on his way to Van Horn, TX for more training.
“Blue Origin – they approached me and they asked if I wanted to be a crew member and without hesitation, I said ‘yes,'” Strahan said on “Good Morning America. “I wanted to go to space!”
Strahan continued: “It’s going to take a while, but I do believe it will bring a lot of technological breakthroughs and also innovations to us here on earth…and I just wanted to be a part of it.”
Variety reports that the upcoming launch will be the first time a Blue Origin flight has operated at a full capacity with six passengers.
The flight crew will be going to space on Blue Origin’s “New Shepard,” which is named after Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut to enter space. Along with Strahan, the launch’s passengers will include Laura Shepard Churchley, the eldest daughter of Shepard; venture capitalist, Lane Bess, and his son, Cameron Bess; investor, Evan Dick; and Dylan Taylor, CEO of Voyager Space, according to the outlet.
The launch will mark Blue Origin’s third flight, as well as the rocket company’s third time making record-breaking history. The debut flight’s crew had the youngest person to enter space, 18-year-old Oliver Daemen, while the second flight had the oldest passenger, 90-year-old “Star Trek” legend William Shatner.
The third flight will come in as a historic doubleheader with it being its first time at full capacity, as well as Bess and his son will be the first parent and child to go into space together.
