<p>Blue Origin said Thursday an 18-year-old paying customer will fly to space on board the company's maiden crewed spaceflight on July 20, becoming the youngest ever astronaut.</p>.<p>Oliver Daemen, who graduated from high school in 2020 and holds a private pilot's license, is not the winner of a $28 million auction, who has asked to remain anonymous and will fly on a future mission, the company said.</p>.<p>"This marks the beginning of commercial operations for New Shepard, and Oliver represents a new generation of people who will help us build a road to space," said Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin.</p>.<p>Flying on New Shepard will fulfill a lifelong dream for Daemen, who has been fascinated by space, the Moon, and rockets since he was four, a statement said.</p>.<p>He plans to attend the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands to study physics and innovation management this September.</p>.<p>Daemen joins Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, Jeff's brother Mark, and Wally Funk aboard the first human flight involving the New Shepard spaceship.</p>.<p>At 18-years-old and 82-years-young, Daemen and Funk will be the youngest and oldest astronauts to travel to space.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>
<p>Blue Origin said Thursday an 18-year-old paying customer will fly to space on board the company's maiden crewed spaceflight on July 20, becoming the youngest ever astronaut.</p>.<p>Oliver Daemen, who graduated from high school in 2020 and holds a private pilot's license, is not the winner of a $28 million auction, who has asked to remain anonymous and will fly on a future mission, the company said.</p>.<p>"This marks the beginning of commercial operations for New Shepard, and Oliver represents a new generation of people who will help us build a road to space," said Bob Smith, CEO of Blue Origin.</p>.<p>Flying on New Shepard will fulfill a lifelong dream for Daemen, who has been fascinated by space, the Moon, and rockets since he was four, a statement said.</p>.<p>He plans to attend the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands to study physics and innovation management this September.</p>.<p>Daemen joins Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos, Jeff's brother Mark, and Wally Funk aboard the first human flight involving the New Shepard spaceship.</p>.<p>At 18-years-old and 82-years-young, Daemen and Funk will be the youngest and oldest astronauts to travel to space.</p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos:</strong></p>