“Space Kid” Lands His Dream: NASA Engineer’s Son to Fly with Blue Origin
From watching rocket launches as a child to preparing for his own spaceflight, Paul Jeris' lifelong dream is about to come true. The son of a NASA engineer, Jeris will join Blue Origin's latest commercial launch, fulfilling a decades-long ambition and honoring his father's legacy. This marks another fascinating chapter in the expanding world of space tourism.
Jeris, known in Northwest Ohio as "Put-in-Bay Paul" due to his various ventures on South Bass Island, will be among the six passengers aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard suborbital launch vehicle. The journey, a mere 20 minutes in total, involves reaching speeds of up to 2,300 mph until reaching the Karman line, the recognized boundary of space. Jeris emphasizes the profound experience of witnessing the Earth's thin blue line against the darkness of space.
"It's my dream," Jeris stated, reflecting on his unique journey. His father, Ed Jeris, an electrical engineer at NASA Lewis Research Center, inspired his passion for space exploration. Now, he carries his father's NASA badge and military IDs as he embarks on this adventure.
While the exact Blue Origin launch dateremains unannounced, Jeris is preparing for a three-day training session at their West Texas launch site. He humorously acknowledged his ability to pay as a possible reason for his selection, refraining from disclosing the exact cost, other than stating it was "nowhere near" the $28 million paid for a seat on the inaugural 2021 flight.
Jeris joins a growing list of individuals experiencing suborbital spaceflights, including celebrities like Katy Perry who recently flew on New Shepard. Blue Origin's upcoming NS-32 mission also includes Mark Rocket, an entrepreneur from New Zealand; Jaime Alemán, a Panamanian businessman and former ambassador; Gretchen Green, a radiologist and explorer; Aymette Medina Jorge, a STEM teacher; and Jesse Williams, a Canadian mountaineer. The NS-32 mission will be the 32nd overall mission of the autonomous, reusable New Shepard vehicle.
Despite the inherent risks, Jeris remains optimistic, stating, "You have to set that aside and enjoy the experience. If something happens, you can’t control that anyway. You have to experience the journey." He even plans to take a copy of the Put-in-Bay Gazette to space, challenging others from his community to surpass this unique photo opportunity.
This Blue Origin flight signifies a powerful personal achievement intertwined with a rich family history in space exploration.
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