Blue Origin recap: William Shatner 'overwhelmed' by 'moving' trip to space

Shatner, 90, is the oldest person ever to go to space.

ByEmily Shapiro
Last Updated: October 13, 2021, 8:02 PM EDT

Actor William Shatner and his three crewmates on Blue Origin's New Shepard have returned to Earth after a 10-minute trip to space.

Shatner, 90, is the oldest person ever to go to space.

The "Star Trek" star joined Audrey Powers, Blue Origin's vice president of mission and flight operations and a former NASA flight controller and engineer; Chris Boshuizen, the co-founder of satellite company Planet Labs and a former space mission architect for NASA; and Glen de Vries, the co-founder of Medidata Solutions, a life science company.

This was Blue Origin's second crewed mission to space.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Oct 13, 2021, 10:37 AM EDT

Wally's message to new astronauts

As astronauts awaited the launch, they received a special message from Blue Origin's first crew, including 82-year-old Wally Funk.

"I hope this flight will be the most fantastic experience of your life as it was mine," Funk said. "Take time to enjoy every aspect of this journey from liftoff to touchdown."

Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket is prepared for mission NS-18 carrying "Star Trek" actor William Shatner and 3 other passengers for a suborbital flight near Van Horn, Texas, in a still image from video Oct. 13, 2021.
Blue Origin/via Reuters

"Becoming part of the Blue Origin family is an honor like none other I have received. Together, let's cross new boundaries and set new records. I will be watching your liftoff with great enthusiasm and sending my best wishes," she said.

-ABC News' Ayushi Agarwal

Oct 13, 2021, 10:21 AM EDT

Hatch closed by Bezos

The hatch has been closed by Bezos.

Oct 13, 2021, 10:11 AM EDT

Shatner boards

William Shatner has boarded New Shepard.

Bezos greeted each astronaut individually with hugs and well-wishes as they boarded the capsule.

Next up is the closing of the hatch.

Oct 13, 2021, 10:04 AM EDT

Astronauts ascend the tower, accompanied by Bezos

The astronauts were seen ascending the tower ahead of the historic spaceflight.

Blue Origin CEO Jeff Bezos accompanied the astronauts as they entered the shelter to prepare for ingress. Shatner was grinning as the team made the final preparations for launch.