Spain has written a new chapter in its aerospace history today. Alberto Gutiérrez, founder of Civitatis, has successfully returned to Earth after flying on Blue Origin’s NS-38 mission. With this suborbital flight aboard the New Shepard crew capsule, the businessman officially becomes the fourth Spaniard to reach space, an achievement shared with figures of the stature of Miguel López-Alegría, Pedro Duque, and Jesús Calleja.
“The experience has exceeded expectations in every aspect, including the incredible team that Blue Origin has. Riding a rocket, experiencing a vertical takeoff, reaching 5.5Gs, being in zero gravity, seeing the Earth and the darkness of space… all in such a short period of time, I think it is going to take me months to process it. I trust that space exploration continues at the pace of recent times and that in a few years we can make orbital flights or even reach the Moon,” Gutierrez stated after landing.
The mission lifted off yesterday from Launch Site One in West Texas. Alberto Gutiérrez, along with five other crew members, surpassed the Kármán line (100 kilometers in altitude), the internationally recognized boundary where space begins. During the flight, the members of NS-38 experienced several minutes of weightlessness and contemplated the Earth’s curvature through the some of the largest windows in space history, before landing safely in the desert following a parachute-controlled descent.
Who is the fourth Spaniard in history to travel to space?
The name added today to the Spanish aerospace chronology is Alberto Gutiérrez (Valladolid, 1983). Founder of Civitatis and an undisputed leader in technological entrepreneurship in Spain, he has spearheaded the democratization of tourist activities in Spanish. His business model is based not only on meticulous selection but also on transparency: the platform already boasts more than 5 million real traveler reviews—a volume of data that ensures excellence through simplicity and the careful curation of the best tourism activities.
Beyond his business achievements, Alberto Gutiérrez has established himself as a tireless explorer whose curiosity has been the fundamental engine of Civitatis’ expansion. After passing the torch as CEO at the end of last year to focus on strategic roles within the Board of Directors, this milestone symbolizes his personal commitment to the search for new horizons.
Alberto Gutiérrez’s legacy after this milestone
With this landing, Alberto Gutiérrez rises as the first leader in the experience industry to become, himself, the protagonist of the ultimate experience.
However, his legacy transcends the business success of Civitatis; it represents the ambition of a generation of entrepreneurs who are not satisfied with established limits. For the company, its founder’s milestone is proof that the non-conformist and curious spirit that gave birth to the platform in 2008 remains the engine of its global expansion.
What space activities does Civitatis offer on Earth?
Interestingly, Civitatis’ leadership in the sector translates into a carefully curated selection of experiences for cosmos enthusiasts. The activities company offers a selection of experiences that are now more relevant than ever:
Johnson Space Center (Houston): A panoramic tour of the space facilities where international missions are controlled.
Kennedy Space Center (Orlando): Official admission to the Florida launch complex, the starting point for the Apollo and Artemis missions.
Teide Observatory (Spain): A guided visit to one of the world’s most advanced solar telescopes in Tenerife.
Science in Texas: The Houston CityPASS, which includes access to the main science museums in the “Space City.”
For Civitatis, this milestone is the culmination of a DNA based on exploration. The company sees this journey as the validation of its purpose: filling its users’ trips with exceptional experiences. “On Earth, we are already leaders in helping travelers discover the world; now, with this new adventure by our founder Alberto, we demonstrate that the spirit of Civitatis knows no borders,” declared Andrés Spitzer, CEO of the company.