After years of delays , Blue Origin say it ’s finally ready for a crewed launching of its New Shepard suborbital vehicle . Founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos , the company is aiming for launch in July , and an auction will be hold to choose a appendage of the crew .
On April 14 , Blue Origin successfullyperformeda suborbital test along with an astronaut dress dry run of an uncrewed New Shepard rocket . I had an inkling at the time that this would be the final uncrewed test flight , and it appear my suspicions were correct . Blue Origin has now penciled in July 20 as the date for the first crewed launch of New Shepard .
On July 20th,#NewShepardwill fly its first astronaut crew to place . We are offering one seat on this first escape to the winning bidder of an online vendue . Anyone can place an opening move dictation by going tohttps://t.co/6DpTdTxo36.#GradatimFerociterpic.twitter.com/jBMFYX7xHg
The interior of the New Shepard crew capsule.Image: Blue Origin
— Blue Origin ( @blueorigin)May 5 , 2021
Few details were given , such as the piece of music of the inaugural crew , but we do have a go at it this : One member of the gang will be the winner of an on-line auction . ( Blue Origin has not instantly responded to a asking for further details about the launch . )
As of today , anyone with an interest in joining the flight can invest a bid at the Blue Originwebsite . I could n’t jib , so I place a modest bid of $ 50 , which is clear far from the maximal bid allowed by “ non - verified ” bidder . Space , it ’s fair to say , will stay on far out of stretch for your menial science reporter for the foreseeable time to come .
A confirmation email I received during the bidding process.Image: George Dvorsky
And by “ place ” we ’re really refer to a region slightly beyond the Karman Line , as the 60 - foot - improbable ( 18.3 - meter - magniloquent ) New Shepard rocket will not in reality go into Earth orbit . rather , the vehicle will ascend to a height exceeding 62 miles ( 100 kilometer ) , which technically qualifies as being in space . Total clock time in space will amount to around 11 minutes , accompany by a parachute - attend landing of the New Shepard gang capsule on the Earth’s surface . The reusable chief stage will do a upright landing at Blue Origin ’s Launch Site One in Van Horn , Texas .
Proceeds from the winning bid will be donate to Club for the Future , a Blue Origin foundation with the stated end of inspiring “ next generation to follow up on careers in STEM and aid invent the future of life in infinite . ” That may be so , but the company is clearly using the auction sale to generate hype .
Blue Origin has not yet let out the price of each fundament for succeeding flight , butestimatesrange from $ 50,000 to $ 250,000 — and perhaps even ashighas $ 500,000 . The NS-15 crew capsule can oblige up to six passengers . The company was hop to pilot people back in 2019 , but the testing level took longer than wait .
More : Musk - Bezos feud intensifies : Blue Origin protests NASA choice of SpaceX lunar lander .
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