Jeff Bezos at the National Press Building today. Photograph by Harry Jaffe.
It’s safe to say Jeff Bezos loves space exploration more than newspapering: He has invested twice as much into his spacecraft venture, Blue Origin, than he did to acquire the Washington Post a year ago.
At a press conference Wednesday, Bezos announced a partnership with United Launch Alliance to jointly fund Blue Origin’s new rocket engine. ULA is well-established in the space industry and regularly puts satellites into orbit.
Washington Post science writer Joel Achenbach covered the event at the National Press Club. Before he questioned Bezos, Achenbach said he was with the Post.
“Excellent publication,” Bezos said with a grin.
But not excellent enough to visit while he was down the street. According to sources at the Post, Bezos’s trip to DC from his Seattle base came as a surprise.
Achenbach, who authors Achenblog, took the topic from space to the personal.
“Jeff,” he said, “you’re involved in so many things” (referring to Bezos’s role as the founder of both Amazon and Blue Origin and now owner of the Post). “How do you manage your time?”
“Amazon is my day job,” Bezos responded. He adores the job and “ran to the office” as soon as he returned from vacation this summer. He spends the “vast majority” of his time running Amazon.
“It’s my luck that I don’t have any hobbies, like golf,” he said.
That is, of course, except for space.
“I’ve been in love with it since I was five years old,” Bezos said, adding that watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon “imprinted” him.
Bezos didn’t mention the Post among his passions or regular chores.
Space News wrote in July that Bezos has invested $500 million in Blue Origin, with the goal of building spacecraft that can take earthlings on affordable trips into outer space. He spent $250 million to buy the Post.
Jeff Bezos Announces Plans to Develop New Rocket Engine
His space-exploration startup, Blue Origin, will partner with United Launch Alliance.
It’s safe to say Jeff Bezos loves space exploration more than newspapering: He has invested twice as much into his spacecraft venture, Blue Origin, than he did to acquire the Washington Post a year ago.
At a press conference Wednesday, Bezos announced a partnership with United Launch Alliance to jointly fund Blue Origin’s new rocket engine. ULA is well-established in the space industry and regularly puts satellites into orbit.
Washington Post science writer Joel Achenbach covered the event at the National Press Club. Before he questioned Bezos, Achenbach said he was with the Post.
“Excellent publication,” Bezos said with a grin.
But not excellent enough to visit while he was down the street. According to sources at the Post, Bezos’s trip to DC from his Seattle base came as a surprise.
Achenbach, who authors Achenblog, took the topic from space to the personal.
“Jeff,” he said, “you’re involved in so many things” (referring to Bezos’s role as the founder of both Amazon and Blue Origin and now owner of the Post). “How do you manage your time?”
“Amazon is my day job,” Bezos responded. He adores the job and “ran to the office” as soon as he returned from vacation this summer. He spends the “vast majority” of his time running Amazon.
“It’s my luck that I don’t have any hobbies, like golf,” he said.
That is, of course, except for space.
“I’ve been in love with it since I was five years old,” Bezos said, adding that watching Neil Armstrong walk on the moon “imprinted” him.
Bezos didn’t mention the Post among his passions or regular chores.
Space News wrote in July that Bezos has invested $500 million in Blue Origin, with the goal of building spacecraft that can take earthlings on affordable trips into outer space. He spent $250 million to buy the Post.
Find Harry Jaffe on Twitter at @harryjaffe.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
A DNC Official Will Run for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Seat
AC Problem Closes Four Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall
Epstein Files Fiasco Continues to Be Weird and Entertaining, GOP Congressman Sued Over Unpaid Rent, and Lotuses Hit Peak Bloom
I Tried to Train for American Ninja Warrior
Trump Wants to Rename Soccer, the Nationals Chose a Shortstop, and Virginians Are the US French-Fry-Eating Champions
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards