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Is Eric Schmidt 'mystery' bidder who paid $28M for space flight with Jeff Bezos?

Internet seems to think former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt is the most likely the winning bidder for Jeff Bezos' company, Blue Origin's crewed flight to space

Ever since Jeff Bezos announced that he will join the first crew to fly in a Blue Origin capsule, riding his own rocket into space on July 20, speculations were high on who might occupy the remaining three seats on the debut passenger flight. The company sold the tickets at auction for a seat onboard the first crewed spaceflight by Bezos' company Blue Origin. Now the identity of the 'wealthy' bidder who paid $28 million for a 10-minute trip to space is what has caught the Internet's attention and some 'probable names' are doing the rounds. 

Bezos announced on June 7 his intention of riding his own rocket into space on July 20. He also mentioned that he will share the journey with his younger brother and best friend, Mark. The Amazon CEO will step down from his post on July 5, just 15 days before the launch, to pay more attention to his space company.

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Deliberations around the mystery bidder who paid $28 million at auction for a seat onboard the first crewed spaceflight by Bezos' company Blue Origin is growing by the moment. Internet is playing the 'guessing game' on who will accompany Bezos on a 10-minute flight to space. The top contender in the potential names is former Google CEO, Eric Schmidt. Given that the 'mystery bidder' has to be a billionaire with an ardent 'passion for astronomy', Schmidt somewhat fits the profile. Schmidt, 66, has reportedly a fortune of $21.4 billion. He was the CEO of Google from 2001 until 2011. Interestingly, Schmidt spent two years as a member of NASA's National Space Council User Advisory Group and is now the Chairman of the US National Security Commission for Artificial Intelligence.

The Internet seems to think Schmidt is the most likely the winning bidder for Blue Origin's crewed flight to space. One user wrote, "Eric Schmidt once said, “If you're offered a seat on a rocket ship, get on, don't ask what seat” — but what if you're paying $28 million for the seat?" 

Scooter Braun, 39, is one of the other names on the list, who could spend such a massive amount on a space trip, given that he is close pals with Bezos. Braun, who is a powerhouse producer has a reported net worth of $400 million. The duo partied up a storm onboard a boat in Italy back in the summer of 2019. Back in 2017, Braun wrote on Twitter, "Always has been and always will be... Jeff Bezos is such an inspiration. Never ever doubt your goals. Awesome."

Barry Diller, 79, who has an estimated fortune of $3.1 billion and JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon, who reported net worth is around $1.9 billion are the other names who are in the game. Diller is said to be incredibly close friends with Bezos. However, neither Diller nor Dimon have publicly professed an interest in space travel.

The statement issued by Blue Origin said that the winner's identity will be disclosed soon. "The name of the auction winner will be released in the weeks following the auction’s conclusion. Then, the fourth and final crew member will be announced." According to the reports, the winner beat 20 other participants in an online auction launched in late May.

Bezos' highly anticipated space program is likely to kick off Blue Origin’s space tourism business. Blue Origin touts itself as means to provide cheaper access to space through the use of reusable rockets, specifically the New Shepard that has flown at least 15 times. The capsule is designed with six reclining seats that mirror those inside a helicopter. Blue Origin plans to send tourists 62 miles above Earth's surface and spend at least 10 minutes in orbit.