Jesús Calleja, the renowned adventurer and television presenter, is poised to make history by becoming the third Spanish individual to travel to space. On Tuesday, February 25, Calleja will launch aboard the New Shepard rocket from Blue Origin, crossing the Kármán line, which marks the boundary of outer space. Unlike the only two previous Spanish astronauts, Calleja is not a professional astronaut; instead, he is fulfilling his childhood dreams as he embarks on this incredible adventure.
Spain has played a pivotal role in space exploration throughout history, contributing to missions such as Apollo and participating actively with the European Space Agency (ESA). Although only two Spaniards have previously ventured beyond Earth, the significance of Calleja's mission is amplified as he approaches this achievement from the perspective of space tourism.
The first Spaniard to reach space was Miguel López-Alegría, born in Madrid, who completed his first mission aboard NASA's shuttle in 1995. He has since participated in five missions and performed over 67 hours of spacewalks. Pedro Duque followed, becoming the first Spanish astronaut to fly aboard the Discovery shuttle during mission STS-95 in 1998 and returning again for the Cervantes mission to the International Space Station (ISS) five years later.
Calleja’s spaceflight is part of the documentary series 'Calleja en el Espacio,' produced by Prime Video, which will chronicle his preparations, the launch, and his reflections after the experience. The mission will last between 10 and 15 minutes, during which Calleja will experience weightlessness and witness the stunning curvature of the Earth.
To prepare for this incredible challenge, Calleja has undergone rigorous training, learning technical English, safety protocols, and how to react to weightlessness. He has received boundless support from his family, especially his mother, who expressed her overwhelming emotions as she bid farewell to him before his departure to Blue Origin's Texas launch site.
The next Spanish individual expected to fly to space is Pablo Álvarez, selected as ESA's astronaut, with his first flight planned for 2026. Also noteworthy is biologist Sara García, who has been appointed as backup astronaut, fostering greater prospects for Spanish participation in future space missions.
Live coverage of Calleja's flight is scheduled to be broadcast on February 25. Carlos Franganillo and María Casado will anchor the special program on Telecinco, starting at 15:45 (local time), sharing anecdotes and expert commentary on this historic endeavor. The launch will occur at 16:30, followed by the capsule's landing at approximately 16:55. Following the landing, Calleja will offer his first words and impressions to the audience.
Among the guests supporting Calleja during this momentous occasion will be Pedro Duque and journalist Mercedes Milá, providing insights and commentary throughout the program. Special remarks will also come from notable ‘Planeta Calleja’ personalities, including Ana Patricia Botín, David Bisbal, and Omar Montes, all extending their best wishes for Calleja’s historic flight.
Approximately 20-25 minutes after launch, the New Shepard capsule will safely return to Earth, completing Calleja’s unforgettable space experience. Upon opening the hatch, Calleja will be welcomed by the Blue Origin team and his brother, Quique. After he has had time to absorb the experience, he will also participate in a detailed interview with Carlos Franganillo for Telecinco’s Informativos later at 21:00.
Throughout this groundbreaking mission, viewers will also get to witness footage of Calleja experiencing weightlessness inside the New Shepard capsule and taking in breathtaking views of Earth from space. The final episode of 'Calleja en el Espacio' will air after the initial launch, showcasing exclusive images from the days leading up to his flight, including training sessions and family moments.
The New Shepard will launch on February 25 at 16:30 from Blue Origin’s site in West Texas, marking its fifth mission. The rocket is entirely autonomous and will carry Calleja and his companions beyond the Kármán line—internationally recognized as the threshold of space. The entire flight duration will be between 11 and 15 minutes, allowing the crew to experience the unique sensation of microgravity and capture life-changing views of our planet from above.
New Shepard is named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American to reach space, and embodies Blue Origin’s commitment to sustainable and reusable aerospace technology. Approximately 99% of New Shepard’s total dry mass is reusable, including its booster, capsule, stabilizer, engine, landing gear, and parachutes. Operating using clean and efficient liquid hydrogen and oxygen fuels, the only byproduct produced during combustion is water vapor with no carbon emissions.
Through Calleja’s historic flight, Spain not only takes another step forward in its contributions to space exploration but also highlights the growing industry of space tourism, demonstrating once again how dreams—no matter how ambitious—can become reality.