Blue Origin successfully launches the New Shepard capsule, marking the return of sub-orbital flights following a mishap in 2022.

December 19, 2023 Benjamin Hughes

Blue Origin, the rocket company owned by Amazon-founder Jeff Bezos, successfully launched an unpiloted New Shepard capsule to the edge of space and back Tuesday, the first flight of the sub-orbital spacecraft since a booster failure last year triggered a dramatic abort.

There were no individuals present on the 2022 flight. Although the booster was damaged, the spacecraft, which was carrying a range of experiments focused on microgravity, successfully landed. Engineers later identified a 4 as the cause of the incident.

The malfunction of the primary engine nozzle on the booster.

Approximately one minute after launch.

The nozzle underwent changes and was tested by Blue Origin on Tuesday at their launch site in West Texas. At 11:42 a.m. EST, the booster’s BE-3 engine, which burns hydrogen, was fired up. After reaching maximum power, the booster successfully launched and ascended into the sky, propelled by a vibrant trail of fiery exhaust.

The New Shepard sub-orbital spacecraft from Blue Origin took off from Jeff Bezos’ ranch and flight facility in West Texas. It carried over 30 experiments on a round trip to the edge of space. This was the company’s first launch after a booster malfunction during an unmanned flight in the previous year.

Blue Origin webcast

It is unclear if the capsule that was launched on Tuesday by Blue Origin was the same one that had a safe abort during the mishap on September 12, 2022. However, similar to the previous flight, the capsule on Tuesday carried over 30 microgravity experiments from NASA, academic institutions, and private companies.

Bezos and his brother Mark are among those included, along with the actor.Willam Shatner

“Four individuals, including TV celebrity Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, 82-year-old aviator Wally Funk, and an adventurer”Hamish Harding

The individual who passed away during the explosion of the doomed structure.Titan submersible last June.

Virgin Galactic, led by Richard Branson, has sent 49 individuals including tourists, researchers, engineers, and pilots on 10 sub-orbital flights using their air-launched rocket-powered spaceplane. The company is now focusing on creating a bigger and more advanced “Delta” spaceplane, similar to the New Shepard, which will have the capacity to carry six paying customers per flight.

William Harwood

Bill Harwood has been reporting on the United States’ space program for over three decades, starting off as the Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press International and currently working as a consultant for CBS News.

Source: cbsnews.com