Blue Origin Launches Test Spacecraft
Blue Origin launched its experimental spacecraft this week from Texas, marking the start of the company’s unmanned test flights with plans to develop a space tourism vehicle. The New Shepard craft launched Wednesday from Blue Origin’s test site, reached an altitude of 58 miles, then separated from its rocket and deployed a parachute for landing, Reuters reported.
Blue Origin launched its experimental spacecraft this week from Texas, marking the start of the company's unmanned test flights with plans to develop a space tourism vehicle.The New Shepard craft launched Wednesday from Blue Origin's test site, reached an altitude of 58 miles, then separated from its rocket and deployed a parachute for landing, Reuters reported. Blue Origin, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, quietly set up shop 10 years ago to develop spacecraft with potential for passenger flights.
Wednesday's test went well until the rocket lost hydraulic pressure on descent, Reuters reported. "We lost pressure in our hydraulic system on descent," Bezos said in a statement. "Fortunately, we've already been in work for some time on an improved hydraulic system ... We'll be ready to fly again soon." The capsule, designed to carry up to three people or payload, had a successful flight. "Any astronauts on board would have had a very nice journey into space and a smooth return," Bezos said. The company is also developing a methane-fueled rocket engine that has garnered interest from United Launch Alliance, a partnership between spaceflight contractors Lockheed Martin and Boeing, according to Reuters.
See the Daily Mail's report and Blue Origin's video of the launch here.
