"Ever since I was five years old, I've dreamed of traveling to space."
Jeff Bezos has announced that he will be flying into space with his brother on the first human flight launched by his space company Blue Origin.
Announcing the news in an
Instagram post, the Amazon founder who has a net worth of over $186 billion according to
Forbes, said: "
Ever since I was five years old, I’ve dreamed of traveling to space. On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother. The greatest adventure, with my best friend."
His brother said in the video on Instagram that it was a "remarkable opportunity."
https://www.instagram.com/p/CP0MSOqnYEo/
Bezos is also auctioning off a seat in the capsule, for someone who wants to join him and his brother on the New Shepard - the name of the vehicle that will take them to space.
Bidding for the seat has already reached $2.8 million, so you'll need some rather deep pockets if you want to join the brothers on their family outing. The auction ends on 12 June.
Blue Origin's website says that the company plans to launch passengers more than 100km above the Earth, an altitude at which they will be able to experience microgravity.
Bezos will make the flight just two weeks after he steps down from his role as CEO of Amazon. He will then serve as executive chairman of the business that he founded 30 years ago, so that he can have "time and energy" to focus on other things, according to
BBC News.
