Kent-based Blue Origin completes ninth human spaceflight

Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completed its ninth human spaceflight and the 28th flight for the New Shepard program.

The capsule and booster took off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas on Friday morning, Nov. 22. The flight lasts about 10 minutes traveling approximately 62 miles into space and reaching speeds of up t0 2,238 mph.

The capsule then enters a stable free fall back to Earth. To slow down the vehicle for landing, three drogue chutes are deployed several thousand feet above Earth prior to deployment of the capsule’s three main chutes. Just before touchdown, a retro-thrust system expels a cloud of air beneath the capsule to create a gentle landing 1 mph in the West Texas desert.

The six-member astronaut crew included Emily Calandrelli, Sharon Hagle, Marc Hagle, Austin Litteral, James (J.D.) Russell and Henry (Hank) Wolfond. Sharon and Marc Hagle both flew for the second time.

New Shepard has now flown 47 people into space (three people have flown twice).

“It’s always moving to witness an astronaut crew return from space changed by their experience on New Shepard,” said Phil Joyce, New Shepard senior vice president in a Nov. 22 email. “This mission amplifies the importance of STEAM and inspiring the next generation, and we welcomed back two returning astronauts. A big thank you to all our customers for the opportunity to provide this experience, and for helping to advance our mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth.”

The company charges people to be part of the crew and does not reveal its prices. Some crew members are sponsored by others.

Blue Origin opened in 2000 in Kent and opened a new, larger headquarters in 2020. The company is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.