Woman, 82, to launch into space five decades after Nasa training

Wally Funk, third from the left, will get into space with Jeff Bezos (NASA via AP)

Blue Origin chief Jeff Bezos has chosen an 82-year-old pilot who was denied astronaut wings because of her gender to rocket into space with him in just three weeks.

The company announced on Thursday that Wally Funk will be on board the July 20 launch from west Texas, flying in the capsule for the 10-minute hop as an “honoured guest”.