Rewritten Article:
Preparing for a new horizon: Blue Origin's uncrewed mission following a rocket failure
With the countdown set for an anticipated 8:30 Central Time (9:30 ET) launch on a private Texas ranch, Blue Origin is gearing up for an uncrewed mission, hoping to reignite the fascination with space travel. The event will be broadcast live on the company's website.
The New Shepard rocket, despite not having any passengers aboard, could potentially pave the way for a thrilling new era in space tourism, given a successful outcome.
Initially meant to launch a series of scientific instruments on September 12, 2022, the New Shepard and its spacecraft experienced turbulence when the engines reached peak performance. At this critical stage, the thinning atmosphere still exerted a substantial impact, and the rocket was moving near the speed of sound.
At approximately this moment, it appeared that the rocket was emitting a massive flame burst. The New Shepard capsule then deactivated its emergency escape system, firing the small engines to safely detach from the defective rocket. Fortunately, the system operated as intended, and the capsule landed safely with a parachute.
Blue Origin later disclosed that the malfunction stemmed from a problem with the engine nozzle, a large cone that directs exhaust gases from the rocket engine towards the ground. According to the company, the onboard computer detected the fault and shut down the engine.
No reports of injuries on the ground emerged, and Blue Origin commented that the scientific equipment and the capsule could potentially fly again. However, the malfunctioning engine caused the rocket to crash back onto the launchpad and disintegrate entirely.
Despite the technical challenges, future space travelers would need to prioritize safety, as expressed by Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos during an interview with podcast host Lex Fridman: "The escape system is what makes New Shepard the safest and most reliable rocket we can build. The thrust-to-weight ratio is so high that it's impossible to guarantee complete reliability. The only way to ensure safety is through an escape system".
Jeff Bezos further reiterated, "Tourist spacecraft need to be as safe as possible, but it's impossible to guarantee absolute safety. I'm willing to take that risk, though."
What went wrong
Prior to the mishap in September 2022, the New Shepard rocket had successfully conducted 22 consecutive missions, including six with passengers – including Jeff Bezos in 2021.[1][4][5]
The Federal Aviation Administration, which supervises commercial rocket launches and ensures public safety, conducted the investigation into the incident. One of the findings suggested that the engine nozzle failed due to overheating, as calculated temperatures were higher than anticipated.[1][4][5]
To address this concern, Blue Origin announced "design modifications" to the combustion chamber and adjusted "operational parameters" used in safety modeling and simulations for future flights. The company also claimed that "additional design changes to the nozzle improved structural strength under thermal and dynamic loads," according to a March statement.[1]
The FAA wrapped up its investigation on September 27, 2023, and outlined 21 corrective measures that Blue Origin must execute to revive its flight operations. The agency refrained from disclosing specific details of these measures, citing protected information and US export control limitations.[1]
New Horizons
The planned return of New Shepard to service coincides with Blue Origin's venture into another significant project – a massive rocket named New Glenn, which aims to transport satellites and other heavy payloads into orbit.
While overdue, the "BE-4" engines that power New Glenn's boosters will also drive a new rocket family developed by United Launch Alliance, an enterprise formed by Lockheed Martin and Boeing. This new Vulcan Centaur rocket, set to launch in January, will carry a NASA-sponsored lunar lander to the Moon.[1]
New Glenn also approaches a significant first launch, which could be as early as 2024, potentially carrying a NASA satellite to investigate the magnetic field surrounding Mars.
Speaking last week during a podcast interview, Bezos expressed his nervousness about the upcoming mission:
"Every single time I participated in a New Shepard launch, and every other launch I participated in, I was always nervous about these launches," he said. "The first launch – be not nervous – will be a sign of chaos."
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