Into Thin Air! Higher, easier, and more expensive than Everest. The comparative fatality rate remains to be seen.
Blue Origin sends Mannequin Skywalker aloft again, testing out comfier capsule for future space tourists
Blue Origin has successfully completed a test launch and landing of its reuseable New Shepard rocket with an advanced capsule design, bringing the outfit one step closer to eventually sending up paying passengers. The test flight, codenamed NS-15 as it's the 15th to date, was conducted at 1651 UTC (1151 CDT) at a Blue Origin …
COMMENTS
-
-
Thursday 15th April 2021 07:28 GMT Sgt_Oddball
I can't help but think of an amusement park...
Spend ages waiting, and finally after sitting for long enough for bits to go numb while the operator runs through checks.
Then.... Whoosh, you're off.
And just when you're really enjoying it, the ride ends and you have to join the queue again.
-
-
Thursday 15th April 2021 20:31 GMT Anonymous Coward
Re: Why? Just....why?
I agree with the Why? Beyond bragging rights for billionaires, I don't see the attraction.
That said, they are working on an orbital launch system, the New Glenn, which will be able to reach the ISS with astronauts and launch satellites into high Earth orbit.
And Jeff, not to be outdone by Elon, says the next spacecraft they are working on is the New Armstrong, presumably for lunar flights.
Still, it's a spacecraft. It worked. And I'm a space nerd, so a pint for the boffins.
-