US private space company Blue Origin announced on July 21 that New Shepard NS-34 will conduct its 14th crewed flight, with the most notable passenger being crypto personality and TRON blockchain founder Justin Sun. The official press release stated that he had bid for the first seat back in 2021 for $28 million, donating the entire amount to Blue Origin's Club for the Future foundation.
Commercial Space Meets Crypto Capital
New Shepard has long been considered a pioneer in commercial space tourism. The crew list includes entrepreneurs, teachers, and meteorologists with diverse backgrounds, but the capital market primarily sees a crypto industry representative taking the mainstream technology stage.
Experts note that the crypto industry, often criticized for lack of regulation, can indirectly demonstrate "compliance" and "influence" through highly visible activities like space tourism. For Blue Origin, including a crypto leader as a passenger adds additional buzz to their already expensive space seats.
$28 Million Charitable Halo
Blue Origin stated that Justin Sun's bid proceeds went to 19 organizations promoting STEAM education. The substantial amount not only adds a philanthropic dimension to this flight but also evokes the popular trend of new wealthy individuals "doing good while having fun".
For crypto companies, charity is a quick way to build goodwill; for space companies, it proves that commercial travel serves not just the wealthy but also contributes to scientific education.
TRON Stock Price Surges 54%
It's worth mentioning that TRON is no longer just a token: On June 16 this year, NASDAQ-listed SRM Entertainment announced an agreement with TRON, completing a transaction worth up to $210 million to rename the company to Tron Inc. and use the new NASDAQ stock ticker TRON, effectively achieving a rapid listing for the blockchain platform.
According to the latest Trading View data, TRON's stock price has risen to $10.3, with a market value of approximately $157 million, representing a 54% increase over the past week.
