Amsterdam: The Dutch youngster who became the world’s youngest space traveler this week stunned billionaire Jeff Bezos on the journey by revealing that he had never purchased anything from Amazon.com.
Oliver Daemen, an 18-year-old physics student. Accompanied Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos and 82 years old female aviator Wally Funk- the oldest person to go to space- on a 10-minute trip beyond Earth’s surface.
Bezos funded blue origin’s research by selling billions of dollars worth of stock in his online delivery firm, Amazon. In an interview with a leading daily on Friday at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Daemen said: ‘I told Jeff, like, I’ve actually never bought something from Amazon. And he was like, oh, wow, it’s a long time ago I heard someone say that.’
Daemen found out he would be joining the flight, while on a family vacation in Italy when another applicant bidding $28 million for the ride canceled at the last minute. ‘They called and asked: Are you still interested?’ and we were like ‘Yes! Yes! Yes!’
Daemen had dreamed of space travel since he was a child, following the progress of space exploration organizations like Blue Origin and earning his pilot’s license at a young age. “We didn’t pay even close to $28 million, but they chose me because I was the youngest and I was also a pilot and I also knew quite a lot about it already,’ Daemen said.
Oliver Daemen, the Dutch teenager who just flew on Jeff Bezos’ space flight and became the youngest person ever to reach space. He is from Netherland. Daemen was Blue origin’s first paying customer and replaced the anonymous auction winner.
Daemen has a pilot’s license. He is fascinated by space. He will go to college for physics this fall. Blue origin New Shepherd spacecraft carried human passengers for the first time ever. Daemen was the first paying customer of Blue origin.
Daemen said he was “super excited” to go into space. “I’ve been dreaming about this all my life,” he said. “I am super excited to experience zero-g and see the world from above.”
Daemen’s father had paid for the seat though the company hasn’t disclosed how much he paid. He is also a fan of underwater adventures and water sports. He has met Dutch celebrities as well. He is fascinated by flight and outer space.
