In 2000, Jeff Bezos embarked on a venture that reached for the stars. He founded Blue Origin, a private aerospace company headquartered right here in Kent, Washington. Blue Origin’s mission isn’t just about rockets; it’s about building a future where humanity can thrive both on and off Earth. Their motto, “Gradatim Ferociter” – “Step by step, ferociously” – embodies their steady yet ambitious approach. Blue Origin – Headquarters may appear unassuming, but within these walls, groundbreaking technologies are being developed. This is where the New Shepard, a reusable suborbital vehicle, was conceived and brought to life. This spacecraft, named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space, has already taken passengers to the edge of space, marking a new era in space tourism. Blue Origin isn’t limiting itself to suborbital flights. The company is also working on the New Glenn, a powerful orbital rocket named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. Imagine a rocket so large it could carry up to 45 metric tons into orbit. That’s the scale of Blue Origin’s ambition here at their headquarters. Blue Origin is also partnering with NASA on ambitious projects, including the Blue Moon lunar lander for the Artemis program. This program aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, a goal that Blue Origin is actively contributing to from right here. Blue Origin at its headquarters in Kent, Washington, is not just a company; it’s a symbol of human ambition, a testament to our relentless pursuit of the cosmos. They are taking us step by step, ferociously, into the future of space exploration.
Gas Works Memorial Sundial Sculpture
A giant sundial. That’s what greets you at the top of Kite Hill in Seattle’s Gas Works Park. This isn’t