Jeff Bezos Describes the Sensation of Floating in Zero Gravity as a Return to the Womb

Astronaut Jeff Bezos Shares his Experience of Floating in Zero Gravity

Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, recently appeared on the "Lex Fridman Podcast" to discuss his experience of going to space. He described the sensation of floating in zero gravity as a profound and natural experience, comparing it to a return to the womb.

A Journey to Space on Blue Origin's First Passenger Spaceflight

In July 2021, Bezos embarked on his first journey to space aboard one of Blue Origin's rockets. Accompanied by his brother Mark and two other passengers, Bezos spent approximately three minutes floating in a weightless capsule at zero gravity before gravity began pulling them back to Earth.

The Overwhelming Feeling of Zero Gravity

In the podcast episode, Bezos expressed his fascination with the feeling of zero gravity. He described it as a natural sensation that felt similar to being in the womb. This ethereal experience left Bezos and his crew in awe, experiencing what astronauts refer to as the "overview effect" – the overwhelming realization of the Earth's fragility when seen from space.

An Environmental Awakening

Bezos emphasized the impact that seeing Earth from space had on his perspective. He stated that witnessing the planet's vulnerability had the power to transform anyone into an environmentalist. The fragility and beauty of our home planet became even more apparent, leaving Bezos with a deep sense of appreciation and responsibility.

Jeff Bezos' Vision for the Future

During the podcast interview, Bezos also discussed his vision for the future of humanity. He revealed that he had stepped down as CEO of Amazon to focus more on Blue Origin. Bezos expressed his deep involvement with the company and his dedication to advancing space exploration.

Blue Origin's Mission

Blue Origin, founded by Bezos in 2000, has made significant progress in the field of space travel. The company has developed three space vehicles to date: the New Shepard, the New Glenn, and Blue Moon. Blue Origin is planning to attempt another launch of the New Shepard after a delay of over 15 months due to a mid-flight failure.

Jeff Bezos' journey to space not only provided him with a unique perspective but also inspired him to focus his efforts on advancing the frontiers of space exploration. His experience of floating in zero gravity, akin to a return to the womb, has left a lasting impression on the billionaire entrepreneur and fueled his passion for the future of humanity beyond Earth.

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By: pthompson@insider.com (Polly Thompson)
Title: Jeff Bezos Describes the Sensation of Floating in Zero Gravity as a Return to the Womb
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-zero-gravity-space-blue-origin-womb-2023-12
Published Date: Fri, 15 Dec 2023 11:01:03 +0000