Chief Owolabi Salis made history Sunday as the first Nigerian to travel to space aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 suborbital flight, sparking national pride.
Blue Origin successfully launched its 13th human spaceflight, the NS-33 mission, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, marking a major milestone in commercial space travel. Among the six passengers onboard was Chief Owolabi Salis, who became the first Nigerian to travel to space.
The suborbital flight crossed the Kármán line—100 km above Earth—reaching an apogee of 105.2 km. The mission, which lasted around 10 minutes, offered the crew a brief experience of weightlessness before safely landing in West Texas.
Salis, a U.S.-based lawyer and spiritual leader from Ikorodu, Lagos, called the journey a “convergence of science and spirit,” adding that he hopes it will inspire a new generation of Africans to explore space.
Dubbed “The Solstice 33,” the crew also included Allie and Carl Kuehner, Leland Larson, Freddie Rescigno Jr., and Jim Sitkin.
Blue Origin’s successful mission brings the total number of people to fly on suborbital missions to 123, further positioning the company as a leader in reusable rockets and private space exploration.
Celebrations erupted in Nigeria following Salis’ safe return.