Posted on Nov 24, 2015
Did you see the successful re-usable rocket test by Blue Origin? Anybody ready for a low orbit vacation?
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In November 2015, a Blue Origin rocket called New Shepard took off from Earth and flew into space reaching an altitude of 329,839 feet (100.5 kilometers). It also delivered an empty crew compartment into suborbital space, returned to Earth and landed upright on the launch pad.
It was a successful demonstration of a system that could lead to reusable rockets. And it could change space travel forever.
Getting to space is expensive, in large part because the vehicles we rely on to boost us into space are single-use rockets. Every mission uses up another rocket. Organizations like Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are trying to change that.
Blue Origin’s demonstration is impressive: The returning rocket stays upright and fires thrusters to slow its rapid descent until it lands on the pad safely.
Eyes immediately turned to SpaceX, which has been attempting (and failing) to perform a similar feat.
Musk makes a good point: The challenges of getting into orbit and returning to Earth safely are tougher than getting into suborbital altitudes. But Bezos’ team has made amazing progress. And it could mean your next family vacation will include four minutes of weightlessness!
It was a successful demonstration of a system that could lead to reusable rockets. And it could change space travel forever.
Getting to space is expensive, in large part because the vehicles we rely on to boost us into space are single-use rockets. Every mission uses up another rocket. Organizations like Blue Origin and Elon Musk’s SpaceX are trying to change that.
Blue Origin’s demonstration is impressive: The returning rocket stays upright and fires thrusters to slow its rapid descent until it lands on the pad safely.
Eyes immediately turned to SpaceX, which has been attempting (and failing) to perform a similar feat.
Musk makes a good point: The challenges of getting into orbit and returning to Earth safely are tougher than getting into suborbital altitudes. But Bezos’ team has made amazing progress. And it could mean your next family vacation will include four minutes of weightlessness!
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Space Technology
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 2
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Great to see examples of success. Important to note SpaceX has done 3 suborbital VTOL landings back in 2013, their recent (learning) failures for VTOL have been orbital ones.
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1stSgt (Join to see)
Skipper, there is a lot of movement on this front, but like I learned watching my friends get killed in the Osprey, I will wait and watch.
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Capt Richard I P.
1stSgt (Join to see) I hear you for sure, and space travel is inherently extremely risky in general. Let's not forget the number of astronauts that died in the government's efforts in the space program. That said, I'll buy that SpaceX's platform for carrying passengers will likely be the safest out there, their failure rate is lower than any others I'm aware of and their escape options are more robust and employable at more stages.
Oh and I didnt realize I didn't answer MSgt Curtis Ellis' question. The vacation angle is one I don't understand. These suborbital flights (Blue Origin, Virgin) dont seem much fancier to me than a plane flying high then dropping suddenly.
SpaceX is in it for the big picture and the long term, to drive the cost to move a human being to mars down to $500k, now that's something to be excited about.
Oh and I didnt realize I didn't answer MSgt Curtis Ellis' question. The vacation angle is one I don't understand. These suborbital flights (Blue Origin, Virgin) dont seem much fancier to me than a plane flying high then dropping suddenly.
SpaceX is in it for the big picture and the long term, to drive the cost to move a human being to mars down to $500k, now that's something to be excited about.
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