Blue Origin Rocket Takes Next Step Towards Space Tourism

While April 1 saw Royal Caribbean fool the world with talk of an ‘Orbiter of the Galaxies’ cruise, the concept of space tourism isn’t quite as far off as it seems. Just days after April Fool’s Day, private space firm Blue Origin launched an un-crewed rocket and capsule into space. Aptly named New Shepard, the craft was successfully shot into the skies, then brought safely back down to Earth.

It’s the craft’s third successful journey, and represents exciting new progress for the space tourism industry. Thanks to reusable rockets, the cost of spaceflight could be drastically reduced, which would open up new opportunities for both operators and well-heeled tourists.  

From Amazon to outer space

Owned by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin was a virtually clandestine enterprise until now. Though with a trio of successful launches now done and dusted, the company is starting to go public. Bezos has even exercised social media bragging rights, tweeting:

“Working to fly again tomorrow. Same vehicle. Third time.”

Blue Origin takes to Texas skies

The post was followed up with a video documenting the New Shepard blast off, recorded from the firm’s private West Texas launch site. It soared to a height of 103 kilometres, an altitude that’s just higher than the internationally recognized edge of space. The craft then detached from its booster and sailed safely back to Earth, slowed by a fleet of parachutes.

Even the rocket was safely manoeuvred back to West Texas, with its engine restarting when it was just one kilometre above ground. Despite a concerned tweet from Bezos the landing was textbook, with the rocket faultlessly touching down on its thrusters.

“Pushing the envelope,” tweeted Bezos. “Impact in [six seconds] if engine doesn’t restart & ramp fast”.

Check out all the action here: https://ilmt.co/PL/RpWb

Is space tourism just two years away?

So what’s next for Blue Origin? According to Bezos, New Shepard could soon be transporting paying customers and microgravity researchers to space. With plans to start voyages by 2018, the reality of space tourism is rapidly materialising. And with fierce competition from Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic and Russian firm KosmoKurs, the race is on.

Airborne crafts are hugely complex, and hitting the 103km mark is a considerable achievement. For more insight into the intricacies of aircraft engineering, ‘Creative Inspection for Water Ingress in Composite Aircraft Material’ introduces readers to the benefits of thermal imaging cameras.

Image via Flickr Creative Commons. Photo credits: NASA HQ PHOTO