KEY POINTS
  • Blue Origin is developing the New Shepard rocket system to send tourists past the edge of space and allow them to float in zero gravity.
  • The company still hopes to fly people on New Shepard before the end of this year but said on Tuesday that it expects to test fly the rocket at least two more times before that happens.
  • CEO Bob Smith explained to CNBC why Blue Origin has delayed the first crewed flight and continues to test.
Blue Origin launches a New Shepard rocket from its facility in Texas.

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, expects to fly its space tourism rocket at least two more times before it puts the first people on board.

The company is developing the New Shepard rocket system for its space tourism business. Blue Origin is still hoping to fly people on New Shepard this year, although the company noted in a meeting with reporters on Tuesday that 2019 is quickly coming to an end, so those plans may move to 2020.