Jeff Bezos’ aerospace company also wants to start outside the US. The cookie maker with the dark past

In the billionaires’ space race, Blue Origin, the company of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, is looking to expand its business with launches outside the United States. The company is looking into partnerships and possible acquisitions in Europe, company boss Bob Smith told the Financial Times in an interview published Monday.

A suitable location is still being sought for an international starting position. So far, Blue Origin has built launch facilities in Florida and Texas.

Blue Origin faces fierce competition from tech billionaire Elon Musk’s SpaceX company. Both compete for, among other things, the launch of satellites, but also for space flights with people on board. Recently, Blue Origin has been commissioned to develop a lunar landing craft.

SpaceX is preparing the second launch of its largest rocket to date, Starship, which could make it cheaper to launch satellites. The first attempt in April ended in an explosion. Blue Origin’s larger rocket, called the New Glenn, is now scheduled to take off for the first time in 2024 after delays. Both companies rely on at least largely reusable rockets. (sda/awp/dpa)