Blue Origin launched former NFL football player and TV personality Michael Strahan into space from West Texas alongside five crew members on the New Shepard rocket’s NS-19 mission. During a live broadcast of the launch, crew members were heard exclaiming “we did it” on their way back to Earth. Strahan was aboard Blue Origin’s third human spaceflight this year with Laura Shepard Churchley, eldest daughter of America’s first astronaut Alan Shepard, and paying passengers Dylan Taylor, Evan Dick, Lane Bess and Cameron Bess. Strahan, the co-host of ABC’s “Good Morning America” and former New York Giant was carrying a football with him as Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket blasted off from West Texas on the planned 10-minute flight, aiming for an altitude of about 66 miles (106 kilometers).

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The flight was expected to be five minutes and 50 miles (187 kilometers) shorter than Alan Shepard’s Mercury flight from Cape Canaveral on May 5, 1961.

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His eldest daughter, Laura, had with her a tiny piece of his Freedom 7 capsule as well as mementos from his Apollo 14 moonshot and golf balls in honour of her dad, who smacked some on the lunar surface. Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket is named after Alan Shepard.

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Bezos, who was aboard Blue Origin’s inaugural launch in July, saw the six off from the launch and landing complex near Van Horn.

Strahan packed his Super Bowl ring and his newly retired No 92 jersey for the ride. Bezos also put a football aboard that will go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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Blue Origin’s second flight in October, included “Star Trek ” actor William Shatner, making him the oldest person to fly into space at the age of 90, along with three other passengers.  

Blue Origin originally targeted Thursday for the launch, but high wind forced a delay.