Is Blue Origin for Space Tourism?

By Michael Ferguson

Blue Origin is a spaceflight company founded by the billionaire entrepreneur Jeff Bezos in 2000. The company has been working on developing reusable rockets and spacecraft with the goal of making space travel more accessible.

But is Blue Origin really for space tourism? Let’s explore.

The Beginning of Blue Origin

Blue Origin was founded with the mission to develop spacecraft that would allow people to live and work in space. The company’s first major project was the New Shepard rocket, which is designed to take passengers on suborbital flights.

What is Suborbital Space Tourism?

Suborbital space tourism involves taking passengers on a flight that goes above the Earth’s atmosphere, but doesn’t actually enter into orbit around the planet. During a suborbital flight, passengers experience weightlessness and get a chance to see the curvature of the Earth.

Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket

The New Shepard rocket is designed to take up to six passengers on a suborbital flight. The rocket is reusable, which means that it can be used for multiple flights without needing significant repairs or refurbishments between launches.

What Happens During a New Shepard Flight?

The New Shepard flight lasts for about 10 minutes, during which time passengers experience weightlessness and can see the curvature of the Earth. The rocket launches vertically from a launch pad and reaches an altitude of around 100 kilometers before returning to Earth. The capsule separates from the rocket during flight, allowing passengers to enjoy an unobstructed view of space.

Other Blue Origin Projects

While Blue Origin has focused primarily on suborbital flights for space tourism so far, the company has also been working on other projects aimed at making space travel more accessible. These include:

  • New Glenn Rocket: A larger rocket capable of carrying payloads and people into orbit around the Earth.
  • Blue Moon Lunar Lander: A spacecraft designed to land on the Moon and carry payloads and people to the lunar surface.
  • New Armstrong Rocket: A rocket currently in development that will be capable of taking passengers to destinations beyond Earth orbit.

Conclusion

While Blue Origin’s main focus has been on suborbital space tourism, the company is also working on other projects aimed at making space travel more accessible. With its reusable rockets and spacecraft, Blue Origin is poised to play a major role in the development of space tourism in the coming years.