Blue Origin resumes suborbital flights from Monday after a 15-month hiatus
The New Shepard spacecraft is about to take to the skies again. Blue Origin is resuming suborbital flights starting Monday.
Here's What We Know
Blue Origin had a failed spacecraft launch in September 2022. U.S. regulators launched an investigation into the incident, which forced the company to temporarily halt suborbital flights.
Fortunately, the NS23 mission had no passengers on board the spacecraft, resulting in no casualties. The cause of the emergency termination of the mission was a nozzle malfunction in the BE-3PM propulsion system. The pause in flights lasted for 15 months.
We're targeting a launch window that opens on Dec. 18 for our next New Shepard payload mission. #NS24 will carry 33 science and research payloads as well as 38,000 @clubforfuture postcards to space. #FortheBenefitofEarth
- Blue Origin (@blueorigin) December 12, 2023
Blue Origin has officially announced plans to send New Shepard into space without passengers this coming Monday, 18 December 2023. It will deliver 33 research payloads and 38,000 Club for the Future postcards.
The US Federal Aviation Administration ordered Blue Origin to make 21 refinements, including upgrades to the propulsion system and nozzle components. Apparently, the company was able to correct all the deficiencies.
Source: Blue Origin
