Winnin ga uctio nbidf or a seat on rocket: $40m

Blue Origin raised $28 million (NZ$40 million) by auctioning a seat to accompany founder Jeff Bezos on a July 20 rocket ride – the first time the company will carry people to space. The identity of the winner won’t be revealed for a few weeks, Blue Origin said yesterday. The day’s live auction followed weeks of online bidding with more than 7000 submissions from people in 159 countries. Bezos’ brother, Mark, will also make the trip. The 11-minute excursion, will carry as many as six passengers. Blue Origin hasn’t yet revealed who else will be aboard the New Shepard spacecraft.