Blue Origin announced tech entrepreneur and Tron blockchain founder Justin Sun is among the six-member crew set to journey into space aboard Blue Origin’s upcoming suborbital flight. Sun reportedly secured a seat with a $28 million bid originally placed in 2021.
The spacecraft is named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space and is expected to lift off in the coming weeks. Apart from Sun, the crew reportedly includes a mix of professionals such as a journalist, a real estate investor, a venture capitalist, and a businessman.
Blue Origin has not yet disclosed an exact launch date, though based on previous mission timelines, the flight is expected to take place in the very near future.
The company made headlines in April after sending an all-women crew into space, including singer Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, and Lauren Sánchez, Bezos’ then-fiancée.
A Controversial Figure in Crypto and Politics
Sun’s forthcoming journey to space adds another high-profile chapter to a career already marked by bold ventures and legal scrutiny.
Most recently, Sun has emerged as a prominent backer of initiatives tied to the former U.S. President Donald Trump. He has reportedly invested at least $75 million in tokens through the Trump-affiliated crypto firm World Liberty Financial (WLF), including a $30 million injection prior to the 2024 presidential election. In June, Eric Trump, co-founder of WLF and son of the president described Sun as a “great friend.”
In May, Sun and other tokenholders reportedly gained access to a private dinner with Trump by purchasing large amounts of the president’s memecoin, “Official Trump” ($TRUMP), which was trading at $10.72 at the time.
In July, Sun publicly announced plans to acquire an additional $100 million worth of the coin.
Despite the fact that he’s influential both in political and crypto spheres, Sun continues to remain a controversial figure. In March 2023, the U.S. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a lawsuit against him, alleging him of manipulative trading practices and the unlawful promotion of crypto securities.
However, under acting SEC Chair Mark Uyeda appointed during the Trump administration, a joint motion was granted to pause the case earlier in 2025.
