Blue Origin launched from West Texas today (July 20) on what was an exhilarating day for the space tourism industry. Multibillionaire Jeff Bezos blasted off just after 2pm BST (9am EDT) aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket. The former Amazon CEO was joined by his brother Mark, an 18-year-old student and guest-of-honour Wally Funk.
After Sir Richard Branson earned his astronaut wings at the age of 70 on July 11, Mr Bezos, 57, followed suit.
The Amazon mastermind became today the second billionaire to fly into space aboard a privately built spacecraft.
Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket carried the crew above the 62 mile-high Karman line, before the four astronauts returned to the ground in a capsule.
The mission marked the very first time a paying civilian flew into space on a private spacecraft.
Oliver Daemen, 18, flew instead of an anonymous auction winner who paid more than ￡20million ($28million) but had to cancel due to scheduling conflicts.
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2.53pm BST: World congratulates Blue Origin and Jeff Bezos
Congratulations and warm messages have poured in from around the world after Jeff Bezos and crew safely returned to Earth.
The US National and Space Museum tweeted: "Congratulations to
@BlueOrigin on completing the first human spaceflight of their New Shepard spacecraft!"
The European Space Agency (ESA) specifically congratulated Wally Funk for finally achieving her dream of spaceflight.
John Kraus, a spaceflight photojournalist, said: "Congrats to everyone at Blue Origin who contributed to putting humans in space today."
And aeronautical engineer Dr Norah Patten said: "Here's to astronaut Wally Funk Rocket At 82, she became the oldest person to fly to space today.
"An aviation pioneer who has spent her life paving this path to space Star-struck happy #WallyFunk Day Revolving hearts congratulations team @blueorigin."
Even Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin empire, said: "Well done @blueorigin, @jeffbezos, Mark, Wally and Oliver.
"Impressive! Very best to all the crew from me and all the team at @virgingalactic."
2.45pm BST: Wally Funk becomes world's oldest astronaut
Aviation trailblazer Wally Funk, 82, has beaten NASA astronaut John Glenn to become the world's oldest astronaut.
Although the Blue Origin crew only spent a few minutes in space, it was enough for all four flight members to earn their astronaut wings.
After touching down on Earth, Blue Origin tweeted: "Congratulations to all of Team Blue past and present on reaching this historic moment in spaceflight history.
"This first astronaut crew wrote themselves into the history books of space, opening the door through which many after will pass."
As the crew celebrated their return to Earth, the crew cracked open bottles of champagne.
According to Gary Lai, Blue Origin Senior Director, it is the "only proper way to end a spaceflight".
The multibillionaire has safely returned to Earth after flying more than 62 miles into the atmosphere.
He has now left his New Shepard capsule with a smile on his face and a cowboy hat on his head.
The astronauts were greeted by friends and family who shook hands and exchanged hugs.
Gary Lai, Blue Origin Senior Director, said of the landing: "It was picture perfect."
Gary Lai, Blue Origin Senior Director, said of the landing: "It was picture perfect."
Speaking from inside of the capsule, one of the four astronauts was heard saying: "Best day ever."
Crowds were also seen cheering on the four crewmembers at the Blue Origins headquarters,
The newly minted astronauts are making their way back to the planet's surface.
Their capsule is slowly falling to the planet, slowed down by three parachutes.
The New Shepard has landed back on Earth as the crew made its way to the surface.
Jeff Bezos said from space: "You have a very happy crew up here."
Jeff Bezos and his three crewmates have blasted off into space.
Speaking from the capsule, Wally Funk was heard saying: "It's so dark here."
The New Shepard has entered the auto sequence and will soon launch into space.
With just two minutes to go, the launch tower has retracted from the spacecraft.
Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin's Director of Astronaut and Orbital Sales, has confirmed the crew and spacecraft are ready for liftoff.
She said: "We confirmed we are go for launch, for First Human Flight on New Shepard."
The New Shepard launch countdown has resumed after a seven-minute delay.
Although a cause for the temporary hold has not been given, a Blue Origin engineer said these may be caused by anomalies.
Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin's Director of Astronaut and Orbital Sales, said: "I understand the hold is lifted, so it sounds like we have gotten the timelines all aligned."
Christina Bezos, the Amazon founder's sister, shared a touching message with her two brothers inside the New Shepard capsule.
She reminded the pair of their childhood romps and how Mr Bezos has always dreamt of flying into space.
She said: "We love you and godspeed, New Shepard."
The Blue Origin astronauts are now less than 20 minutes from liftoff.
The hatch on the New Shepard has been sealed and the astronauts are ready to launch.
Jeff Bezos and his three companions have boarded the rocket.
The billionaire was seen approaching the spacecraft wearing a cowboy hat.
As the astronauts crossed the bridge towards the New Shepard capsule, they each rang a bell.
The astronauts are now being strapped into their seats, secured by a five-point belt and buckle system.
READ MORE: Blue Origin launch: How high will Jeff Bezos fly into space today?
The New Shepard crew has arrived at the launchpad and have been given the all-clear to board the rocket.
Blue Origin tweeted: "We are go for #NewShepard astronaut load.
"CrewMember 7 is now taking Jeff, Mark, Wally, and Oliver out to the launch pad."
Jeff Bezos and his three crewmembers have left the Astronaut Training Center and are on their way to the New Shepard.
At about 30 minutes to launch, the astronauts will board the rocket.
Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin's Director of Astronaut and Orbital Sales, said: "A moment we have been waiting for here at Blue Origin. So much work has led to this moment."
The astronauts, travelling in an SUV, were seen waving from the vehicle at Blue Origin's team members.
The road to the New Shepard launchpad is about two miles long.
Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin's Director of Astronaut and Orbital Sales, the astronauts are waiting in the Astronaut Training Center which they will be soon leaving.
She added: "I'm sure they're trying to contain their excitement.
"You know, you've got that excited energy that, of course, they are controlling themselves."
Blue Origin's rocket, the New Shepard, has been rolled out onto the launch pad and is vertical.
In just about one hour, the spacecraft will take off with its four crew members.
The crew will load into the spacecraft's capsule at about T-30 minutes or 30 minutes to liftoff.
Blue Origin said: "The hatch will close six minutes later at T-24 minutes.
"Terminal Count Ready Report will be at T-10 minutes."
After the New Shepard passes the Karman line, the four astronauts aboard will have up to four minutes to enjoy the thrill of weightlessness.
Blue Origin tweeted: "#NewShepard’s flight profile lasts approximately 11 minutes from launch to capsule landing.
"Astronauts will experience three to four minutes of zero-g and travel above the Kármán Line, the internationally recognized boundary of space."
The crew will then fall back down to Earth inside their protective capsule.
Blue Origin will become today the world's first private company to fly a paying customer into space.
Secondly, the company will help Wally Funk, 82, become the world's oldest astronaut after NASA's John Glenn.
The veteran astronaut set the record when he flew the Space Shuttle Discovery at the age of 77 in 1998.
Finally, Mr Daemen, 18, will become the youngest person to fly into space at the age of 18.
As the Blue Origin crew prepares for the ride of a lifetime, spaceflight pundits and scientists worldwide have come together to wish them a great flight.
Chelsea 'Foxanne' Gohd, Space.com report, tweeted: "Wishing the @blueorigin crew and mission teams a safe and successful flight today!"
Chris Hadfield, Canadian astronaut and former space station commander, wished Wally Funk a "great ride" and called her a "legendary pilot" about to realise her dream of spaceflight.
Even Virgin Galactic tweeted: "Wishing the entire @blueorigin team a successful and safe flight from all of us @VirginGalactic."
Although Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic dream of bringing spaceflight to the masses, experts think this will not happen anytime soon.
According to Dr Robert Massey, Deputy Executive Director of the Royal Astronomical Society, space tourism is simply too expensive for the general public to be part of.
He told Express.co.uk: "I think there is a lot of hype around space tourism and we are very, very many years from this being a kind of market that the vast majority of people would have any ability to access.
"When you look at the ticket prices - even Virgin Galactic which is the cheapest one - clearly the overwhelming majority of people are not going to have $250,000 to have access to space."
Read the full article here: Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin's space tourism branded 'rich kid's playtime'
According to space commentator Andy Lound, there is a debate raging about the spaceflight capabilities of Virgin Galactic compared to Blue Origin
The Amazon founder will fly above the Karman line today - the internationally accepted border of space.
The American standard, however, states the border of space is 50 miles up - the altitude Virgin Galactic flies to.
Mr Lound said: "So there is a bit of a debate between people whether you really make it or you don't make it.
"And to be honest it's a bit pedantic really, because if you step out of a spaceship at 50-miles you're going to die just as quickly if you step out at 62-miles.
"But it is a bit of an interesting battle between the two people."
Read the full article here: 'Bezos is having dig at Branson' Expert on space war between billionaires
Despite Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic promising to open up space tourism to the masses, experts fear the costs of spacelight will prevent most from leaving Earth.
Dr Ian Whittaker, a Senior Lecturer in Physics at Nottingham Trent University, told Express.co.uk it is unlikely these private ventures will help the general public get into space.
He said: "Until some new form of low cost, environmentally friendly thrust mechanism is developed it just is not going to happen large scale."
Earlier this month, Richard Branson told the world "space belongs to us all".
Read the full article here: Richard Branson promised a revolution - but 'ridiculous' prices will keep you from space
The tech mogul and his crew have completed their pre-flight training and are ready to blast off this afternoon.
Blue Origin tweeted late on Monday (UK time): "Our astronauts have completed training and are go for launch. #NSFirstHumanFlight"
The crew will blast off aboard the New Shepard rocket from Blue Origin's Launch Site One near Van Horn in West Texas.
After their brief excursion into space ends, their capsule will fall back to Earth and land in the Texan wilderness.
The crew of today's launch consists of:
Mr Bezos shared a touching video clip of his crewmembers on Instagram on the weekend, with the caption: "Love this crew."