Blue Origin has shared a cinematic video showcasing its thrilling area tourism trip on the New Shepard rocket.
Titled Reserve your seat on New Shepard, the two-and-a-half-minute video options dramatic clips from among the eight crewed New Shepard flights which have taken place because the first one in July 2021.
To this point, seats aboard the capsule have been crammed by both the super-wealthy or celebrities who’ve been supplied a free trip to publicize the expertise (see in case you can spot Star Trek legend William Shatner within the video).
The video doesn’t say how a lot it prices to make a journey on the rocket, however Virgin Galactic, which operates the same form of area tourism service, is thought to cost a hefty $450,000 per seat.
Blue Origin’s expertise includes launching inside a six-seat capsule atop a single-stage, sub-orbital New Shepard rocket. The speedy ascent takes the passengers to about 4 miles above the Kármán line, the purpose 62 miles above Earth that’s extensively thought of as the place area begins. At peak altitude, the occupants are capable of go away their seats to take pleasure in a couple of moments of weightlessness whereas additionally marveling on the breathtaking views of Earth.
As soon as safely buckled up once more, the capsule returns to Earth in a parachute-assisted touchdown near the launch website, with your complete expertise lasting about 10 minutes.
Whereas some have criticized the area tourism rides as a pointless endeavor for folks with cash to burn, Blue Origin’s founder, Jeff Bezos, has beforehand mentioned that if he and others are capable of create and construct infrastructure to chop the price of area journey, then extra folks may have the prospect to go to area to create “wonderful issues that make life higher right here on Earth.”
For Bezos and Blue Origin, a part of that work additionally contains constructing more powerful rockets like the New Glenn, which is about to fly for the primary time later this yr.
