The former NFL defensive star and Pro Football Hall of Famer rocketed into space Saturday morning with five other passengers, including the eldest daughter of America’s first astronaut.
After several short delays, the Blue Origin spacecraft lifted off from the company’s launch facilities near Van Horn, Texas, at 10:01 a.m. EST.
Blue Origin reached an apogee of 351,225 feet before beginning its descent back to Earth. The capsule landed safely in a puff of smoke 10 minutes after liftoff.
Strahan hugged Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos after emerging from the capsule. Bezos opened the capsule door after the crew landed.
Strahan, 50, who currently is a co-host on “Good Morning America,” was originally supposed to ride onto the cusp of space on Thursday, but the flight with five other passengers was delayed due to high winds, USA Today reported.
Joining Strahan on the 10-minute trip into space was Laura Shepard Churchley, the oldest daughter of America’s first astronaut, Alan Shepard.
Four paying passengers included include Dylan Taylor, a space industry executive and philanthropist; Evan Dick, an investor; Lane Bess, Bess Ventures founder; and Cameron Bess, Lane Bess’ child, according to “Good Morning America.” Lane Bess and Cameron Bess became the first parent and child to fly into space together.
The flight was Blue Origin’s third passenger voyage since it began to launch in July. Bezos flew on the first flight, and William Shatner of “Star Trek” fame became the oldest passenger to blast in space when the 90-year-old actor took off into space on Oct. 13.
It was the first time company filled all six seats on its New Shepard rocket and capsule, CNN reported.
Talking about the zero gravity, Strahan said it was not a face lift but a “face drop.”
“Now I know what I am going to look like when I’m 85,” he said.
Strahan, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, played defensive end for the New York Giants from 1993 to 2007. He collected 141.5 sacks in 216 games and was selected to the Pro Bowl seven times. He played in two Super Bowls, after the 2000 and 2007 seasons. The Giants lost 34-7 to Baltimore in Super Bowl XXXV and defeated the previously unbeaten New England Patriots 17-14 in Super Bowl XLII.
He had four interceptions and recovered 15 fumbles during his NFL career. He had two interception returns for touchdowns and also returned a fumble for a score.
Through the years 18 Oct 1999: Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants celebrates on the field during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at the Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Cowboys 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Ezra O. Shaw /Allsport (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Through the years Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants tackles Jeff Garcia #5 of the Cleveland Browns at Giants Stadium on September 26, 2004 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) (Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
Through the years Michael Strahan of the New York Giants poses for his 2005 NFL headshot at photo day in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Getty Images) (NFL Photos/Getty Images /NFL via Getty Images)
Through the years New York Giants #92 Defensive End Michael Strahan being looked at by New York Giants doctor after a play he came off the field in pain during Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants game on November 20, 2005. The New York Giants beat the Philadelphia Eagles 27-17 at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey (Photo by Tom Berg/NFLPhotoLibrary) (Tom Berg/Getty Images)
Through the years Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants celebrates sacking Mark Brunell of Washington Redskins on October 8, 2006 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Through the years New York Giants defensive end # 92 Michael Strahan celebrates after tackling Houston Texans # 33 running back Wali Lundy during the Houston Texans vs New York Giants game on November 5, 2006 at Giants Stadium. The Giants won 14-10. (Photo by Tom Berg/NFLPhotoLibrary) (Tom Berg/Getty Images)
Through the years Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants celebrates in the second quarter after becoming the Giants all-time sack leader against the Philadelphia Eagles at Giants Stadium on September 30, 2007 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) (Nick Laham/Getty Images)
Through the years Defensive end Michael Strahan #92 of the New York Giants celebrates after defeating the New England Patriots 17-14 during Super Bowl XLII on February 3, 2008 at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) (Elsa/Getty Images)
Through the years New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan holds up the Vince Lombardi trophy during the New York Giants Superbowl XLII victory parade February 5, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
Through the years Former NFL player Michael Strahan attends EA SPORTS Madden Bowl kicks off the Bud Light Hotel at the Bud Light Hotel on February 2, 2012 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images for Bud Light) (Stephen Lovekin)
Through the years Performer Marc Anthony and former professional football player Michael Strahan attend the 27th Anniversary Sports Spectacular benefiting Cedars-Sinai Medical Genetics Institute at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza on May 20, 2012 in Century City, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Sports Spectacular) (Alberto E. Rodriguez)
Through the years Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan appear at Lincoln Square on September 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images) (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Through the years Kelly Ripa and Michael Strahan appear at Lincoln Square on September 4, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Ben Gabbe/Getty Images) (Ben Gabbe/Getty Images)
Through the years Regis Philbin and Michael Strahan attend the 2013 Fox Sports Media Group Upfront after party at Roseland Ballroom on March 5, 2013 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) (Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Through the years TV personalities Michael Strahan (L) and Maria Menounos attend the Oscars held at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images) (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
Through the years Former New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan with his bust during the NFL Class of 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony at Fawcett Stadium on August 2, 2014 in Canton, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) (Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Through the years Host Michael Strahan speaks onstage during the 20th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards at the Hollywood Palladium on January 15, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images) (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Through the years In this handout photo provided by Disney Parks, host Michael Strahan gears up for "LIVE's" five shows from Disneyland Resort with a ride on the Cars Land Radiator Springs Racers at Disney California Adventure on May 16, 2015 in Anaheim, California. "LIVE" has traveled to Southern California for a week of shows in celebration of Disneyland Resort's 60th Anniversary Diamond Celebration, airing May 18-22, 2015. (Photo by David M. Russell/Disneyland Parks via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years In this handout photo provided by Disney Parks, "Live! with Kelly and Michael" co-host Michael Strahan meets up with Chip and Dale at Disney's Animal Kingdom park August 18, 2015 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. Strahan took a break to vacation with family and friends at Walt Disney World Resort. (Photo by Ryan Wendler/Disney Parks via Getty Images) (Handout/Getty Images)
Through the years TV personality Michael Strahan (L) and sportscaster Terry Bradshaw attend JCPenney and Michael Strahan's launch of Collection by Michael Strahan on September 30, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for JCPenney) (Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for JCPenney)
Through the years Media personality Michael Strahan poses for a photo during a book signing for his book "Wake Up Happy: The Dream Big, Win Big Guide to Accomplishing Your Goals" at Barnes & Noble, 5th Avenue on October 13, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images) (Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
Through the years Lil Jon and Michael Strahan attend the Pencils of Promise 6th Annual Gala "A World Imagined" at Cipriani Wall Street on October 26, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Pencils of Promise) (Michael Loccisano)
Through the years TV personalities Robin Roberts (L) and Michael Strahan attend the 88th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on February 28, 2016 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images) (Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Through the years TV personality Michael Strahan attends the 2016 Billboard Music Awards at T-Mobile Arena on May 22, 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by David Becker/Getty Images) (David Becker/Getty Images)
Through the years Legendary Super Bowl Champion & Emmy-nominated Fox NFL Sunday Analyst Michael Strahan speaks onstage at the Fox NFL Town Hall panel at The Town Hall during 2016 Advertising Week New York on September 28, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Advertising Week New York) (Slaven Vlasic)
Through the years (L-R) George Stephanopoulos, Lara Spencer, Pete Wentz, Michael Strahan, Julia Michaels and Robin Roberts attend 2017 Billboard Music Awards Nominations Announcement at Good Morning America Studios on April 10, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Billboard Music Awards ) (Mike Coppola)
Through the years Michael Strahan presents the 2017 Sportsperson of the Year Award during the SPORTS ILLUSTRATED 2017 Sportsperson of the Year Show on December 5, 2017 at Barclays Center in New York City. Tune in to NBCSN on December 8 at 8 p.m. ET or Univision Deportes Network on December 9 at 8 p.m. ET to watch the one hour SPORTS ILLUSTRATED Sportsperson of the Year special. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated) (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Sports Illustra)
Through the years Michael Strahan attends Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images) (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)
Through the years (L-R) Isabella Strahan, host Michael Strahan, and Sophia Strahan attend Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Sports 2019 at Barker Hangar on July 11, 2019 in Santa Monica, California. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images) (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)