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Blue Origin Set to Resume Human-Spaceflight Operations
Blue Origin, the aerospace manufacturer founded by Jeff Bezos, is preparing to break its human-spaceflight drought this weekend with the planned launch of the NS-25 mission. The company announced today that the launch is scheduled to take place on Sunday, May 19, from its West Texas launch site.
The NS-25 mission is part of Blue Origin’s ongoing effort to offer suborbital space tourism experiences to customers. The launch window is set to open at 9:30 a.m. EDT (1330 GMT), with live coverage starting at 8:50 a.m. EDT (1250 GMT).
Blue Origin’s human-spaceflight operations rely on the New Shepard vehicle, which includes a reusable rocket and capsule. Following liftoff, the rocket lands vertically while the crew-carrying capsule descends with the help of parachutes. Passengers on board the capsule will enjoy a few minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth against the backdrop of space. The entire flight, from launch to capsule touchdown, lasts approximately 11 minutes.
The NS-25 mission marks the 25th launch of the New Shepard vehicle and the seventh crewed flight for the spacecraft. Blue Origin also conducts robotic research missions using the same vehicle.
In its most recent crewed flight, NS-22 in August 2022, Blue Origin encountered an anomaly during a research mission that led to the rocket’s destruction. Following an investigation, the company attributed the issue to a “thermo-structural failure” in the rocket’s engine nozzle. Subsequent fixes were implemented, and the New Shepard vehicle returned to flight with the uncrewed NS-24 mission in December 2023.
The crew for the NS-25 mission was announced last month and includes notable individuals such as Ed Dwight, the first black astronaut candidate in the U.S., venture capitalist Mason Angel, and entrepreneur Kenneth L. Hess, among others. Each passenger brings a unique background and perspective to the mission, further enriching the space tourism experience.
Looking ahead, Blue Origin’s competitor Virgin Galactic is also gearing up for a suborbital tourism mission, with the Galactic 07 flight scheduled for June 8. The rivalry between the two companies underscores the growing interest and investment in the commercial space tourism sector.
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